AIRASIA Opens Direct Flight Kuala Lumpur-Sydney

AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia, expanded its network in Australia with the launch of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney.

In its maiden flight on April 1, 2012, AirAsia X offers fare airline seat, ranging from IDR 607.000 (one way) for economy class and start from IDR 3.047.000 each way for flights with Premium Fly Flatbed.

"The opening of routes from the hub in Kuala Lumpur to Sydney is the culmination of our dreams and all associated with AirAsia X, in particular the Group CEO of AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes," said AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman Rani.

He believes in the last 4 years the company can do things that seem impossible to do.

The launch of new routes announced by AirAsia X CEO, Azran Osman-Rani, AirAsia X Chairman, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Destination New South Wales CEO, Sandra Chipchase, Sydney Airport Executive Director of Aviation Services, Shelley Roberts, representatives from the tourism department.

Azran added from 1 April 2012, AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia who serve long-haul flights, will fly daily from their hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kingsford Smith, Sydney.

With the opening of Kuala Lumpur – Sydney route, passengers will be able to perform advanced flight to more than 80 destinations through 165 owned by AirAsia routes to countries in Asia and beyond.

Sydney became the fourth AirAsia X destinations in Australia after the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth. This route as well be the only low cost direct flights from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur.

According to him, Australia is a major market share for AirAsia X, and Sydney route has long been a priority of the company due to high demand from the users of air travel services.

"Our goal is to make the journey to international destinations become more affordable for all people, and now our passengers will be able to explore Sydney, Australia and other areas with our extensive route network and at an affordable cost," he said.

He was optimistic that the new route is able to follow the success of the route that had been launched earlier, namely the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth.

Azran explains fly-thru service will be available for those who will fly to Sydney from Indonesia (Bali, Medan, Surabaya and Jakarta), Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket), Singapore, and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City). This service also allows passengers to buy an airline seat for the two routes at once via Kuala Lumpur.

AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the launch of the new route is not only good news for its customers, but also for the tourism industry, particularly in Sydney.

"Sydney is also AirAsia X has become a priority because of high demand for direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to the city," he added.

Kuala Lumpur - Sydney route to start operations using aircraft type Airbus A330-300 with a configuration of 12 seats and 365 flatbed Premium fly economy class seats.

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Strengthen the domestic market, AirAsia open a new route from Surabaya

The airlines company, Indonesia AirAsia continues to strengthen domestic routes. On February 14, 2012, Indonesia AirAsia will open a new domestic route flights, Surabaya – Bandung and Surabaya – Denpasar.

"In addition to our commitment to develop the domestic routes, the second launch of this route is also our responsibility to encourage tourism and the economy of the archipelago," said Dharmadi, the President Director of AirAsia Indonesia on Monday (12/12).

Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia. Capital city of East Java's economy is based on the industrial sector and services trade, as well as the home of creative industries in the number of sectors, including advertising, architecture, crafts, interactive entertainment, publishing and printing.

Meanwhile, Bandung, according Dharmadi, known as the "Emerging Creative City" that offers a diverse product distributions, soap opera production houses, and culinary. The young generation of Bandung which will be full of innovative ideas has pushed the creative industries in the city is growing very rapidly.

Similar to Bandung, Bali also has the attraction of creative industries is unusually large, but rather based on local culture. Besides being a favorite tourist destination in the world, the island is also famous for its performances of traditional performing arts and antiques.

"With the new route Surabaya - Bandung and Surabaya - Denpasar, then Bandung, Bali and Surabaya are connected directly. Domestic connectivity is expected to facilitate and enhance the creative market exchanges among the three cities, "said Dharmadi. Previously, AirAsia already opened Surabaya – Medan route in 2010 and Jakarta to Semarang route.

For information, in the year 2012, AirAsia plans to increase market share in Indonesia from 3% to 10% and the target number of passengers to 6.2 million people. To achieve that, AirAsia has ordered 21 Airbus A-320 until later in 2016. In addition, AirAsia also began aggressively to open domestic routes in Indonesia.

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AirAsia will move its regional office to Jakarta

Low-cost carrier, AirAsia has said it will focus work on the ASEAN market. Unmitigated AirAsia will move its regional office to Jakarta next year.

"We want to be the ASEAN airline. We probably bring most ASEAN passengers than other airlines, "said CEO of Air Asia, Tony Frenandes at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Bali International Convention Center, Nusa Dua, on Thursday (17/11).

AirAsia's regional offices will move from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta. The launch of the new office itself will take place in January 2012. Tony said AirAsia moved into offices in Jakarta because the office was located ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta. "We want to show that we are no longer a carrier of Malaysia, Thailand, or Indonesia. But we are an ASEAN airline, "he said.

In addition to moving his office, AirAsia will add approximately 100 of the aircraft next year. These planes will serve particular routes in ASEAN. "The problem is, every airline is now looking for the plane. It is a nice problem, "he said. Tony adds, AirAsia is targeting growth of its business was not too affected by floods in Thailand. The company is still optimistic that could grow 20% this year.

Regarding the ASEAN open sky policy, Tony said he really supported it and did not see the risk of Indonesian airlines will lose the market. "Let us be more confident. What is good for the people of Indonesia? I think AirAsia has been quite beneficial to many people of Indonesia, business, hotels, labor, and the pilot is growing. We must think big, think ASEAN, if not we will be beaten by China and India," he said.

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