AirAsia X, the low-cost long-haul carrier affiliate of AirAsia, today celebrates the First Anniversary of its commercial service with a birthday bash at its base at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport here.
The airline started its commercial service with its flight from Kuala Lumpur to the Gold Coast, Australia on 2 November 2007, before adding the Kuala Lumpur-Hangzhou route in February 2008.
Exactly a year later, AirAsia X ushered in a new chapter of low-cost international travel by flying to its second Australian destination, Perth. The inaugural AirAsia X flight between Kuala Lumpur and Perth touched down on Western Australian soil at 2.40 pm yesterday, using the airline’s brand new wide-bodied Airbus A330. The A330 was freshly delivered from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France on Friday.
“In just a year, and operating with one aircraft, AirAsia X has flown over 200,000 people across Asia and Australia. Supported by the widest route network of AirAsia, AirAsia X has brought a new definition to the low-cost long-haul carrier concept. We are proud that AirAsia X has become the most successful low-cost long-haul carrier in the world,” said Azran Osman-Rani, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X.
AirAsia X was named the ‘New Airline of the Year 2008’ by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) and ‘Best Newcomer’ at the 2008 Budgie World Low Cost Airline Awards.
AirAsia X now serves the Kuala Lumpur-Perth route with six direct return flights per week.? The airline plans to upgrade this schedule to a daily service by mid-December. ?The champion of low-cost long-haul travel will also commence services between Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne on November 12 this year.
The start of flights to Perth also came just a day after AirAsia X’s brand new Airbus A330 arrived in Malaysia after a high-profile aircraft delivery ceremony in Toulouse, France on 31st October.? The new Airbus A330 is the first to be delivered of the 25 brand new Airbus A330 aircraft that AirAsia X has ordered.? AirAsia X’s choice of Airbus A330 reflects its thrust of reducing fuel consumption and operating costs.
The Airbus A330, which is powered by Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines, boasts enhanced flexibility and comfort for guests, which allow AirAsia X to offer a level of service not normally expected from low-cost airlines. The cabin has 383 sleek black leather upholstery seats, with optional premium XL seats for extra width and leg room, as well as the latest in-flight entertainment system featuring innovative content and applications.
Azran Osman-Rani said, “We are delighted to bring our affordable and reliable flights to Western Australia. ?We’ve had strong forward sales for the flights between Perth and Kuala Lumpur since we officially launched our service in Western Australia in May this year and we’re expecting this solid show of support from travellers from Australia and Malaysia to continue into 2009 and beyond.” “We have launched a number of travel deals for cheap flights between Perth and Kuala Lumpur which have sold extremely well and garnered an enthusiastic response from travellers keen to experience everything Australia and Malaysia have to offer. Forward bookings indicate over 25,000 guests who will use this service in November and December 2008 alone,” he added.
“AirAsia also boasts an incredible route network to ASEAN and China - the best connections in South East Asia. We have found that the take-up of tickets for Perth flights from Malaysian travellers has been significant. With our expanding Australian network, which soon will service Melbourne aside from the Gold Coast and Perth, AirAsia X is committed and poised to position Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur as its dynamic capital, as Asia's biggest low-cost hub. ?All stakeholders have worked cohesively and collaboratively to make this operation a success,” concluded Azran.
Azran further commented that the start of AirAsia X’s new services into Perth was a reflection of the collaborative effort between the Western Australia Government, Tourism Western Australia, AirAsia X and Perth Airport.
To mark the 1st anniversary of AirAsia X, the airline will be giving away free seats* to its loyal guests to all of its destinations which include Gold Coast, Hangzhou, Perth and Melbourne. Citibank cardholders and Digi subscribers will have the exclusivity to book their seats on 3rd November 2008. For other guests, they can book their seats at www.airasia.com or mobile.airasia.com from 4th – 9th November 2008 for the travel period between 1st August 2009 – 24th October 2009. The free seats* promotion is also made available to Hangzhou (Shanghai) in China from 4th – 9th November 2008 for the travel period between 16th June 2009 – 24th October 2009.
2 comments:
long haul- fly more far, higher as you are as red as sun.Burning your energy from this site to another site. Budget meant for everything fundamental.
now economy downturn, people are more calculative when they go for vacation, so this will burst the budget airline business
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