AirAsia ramps up flights for ‘Balik Kampung’

24 July 2010

AirAsia is increasing its flight

frequencies for selected cities throughout the festive season of Hari Raya between 3 September – 17 September 2010.

The destinations

included for the additional flights are Kuala Terengganu (from 3x daily to 9x daily), Kota Bharu (from 6x daily to 12x daily), Langkawi (from 7x daily to 11x daily), Solo (from once daily to 5x daily), Yogyakarta

(from once daily to 3x daily), Medan (from 4x daily to 6x daily) and Surabaya (from 4x daily to 8x daily).

Kathleen Tan, Regional Head of Commercial, AirAsia said: “With the additional flights, it will be more convenient for our guests to travel safely and comfortably back to their hometowns and celebrate Hari Raya with their family and loved ones. We hope that by planning and announcing the additional flights earlier, our guests will be able to beat the usual ‘balik kampung’ rush.”

ExpressIndia.com

High flyer Darren Wright new AirAsia X Head of Commercial

22 July 2010

Leading low-cost airline AirAsia X has appointed its General Manager Australia Darren Wright to the position of Head of Commercial ahead of its proposed public listing.

Mr Wright, who has been with the Malaysian-based carrier since its inception in November 2007, will head up all commercial and marketing functions for AirAsia X across its long-haul network covering destinations in Australia, China, India, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

The role has been created ahead of the airline's plan to list as a separate entity of its parent company AirAsia in the second half of next year.

Mr Wright will be based in Kuala Lumpur and will report to AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman-Rani, and will in the short term split his time between the Malaysian capital and his hometown of Brisbane. He will continue to oversee commercial operations in Australia.

"It's an exciting time for AirAsia X with the proposed listing, network growth and big plans to fly to more exciting destinations like Korea and Japan, and with the move to the NewSkies booking platform, connectivity across the entire network is also a core focus for us," Mr Wright said.

"Since its maiden flight between Kuala Lumpur and the Gold Coast in 2007, I'm proud to have been a part of AirAsia X growing into an award-winning airline which is now reaching sufficient scale economies to stand on its own instead of relying on services provided by AirAsia.

"I'm thrilled that I will be able to continue helping this exciting airline further expand as it enters its next growth phase."

Mr Wright's previous roles include Marketing Manager at Virgin Blue Airlines, National Marketing Manager for Flight Centre and Queensland Manager of global music provider DMX Music.

AirAsia and AirAsia X have been named the 2009 and 2010 World's Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax, as well as the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) Airline of the Year in 2009.

AirAsia X was the first low-cost carrier in the world to introduce flatbed seats with standard business class specifications which feature universal power sockets, adjustable headrests and built-in personal utilities.

The plan to list AirAsia X will give it financial independence from AirAsia and the ability to develop better capabilities in long-haul services. It will also allow the carrier to employ its own wide-body pilots, cabin crew, ground staff and commercial and marketing teams.

AirAsia X's Australian routes include Melbourne, Perth and the Gold Coast from Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia Indonesia also operates a Perth to Bali service.


TravelBlackBoard

AirAsiaMegastore.com now online

22 July 2010

Fans of AirAsia can now expect much more than travel services with the launch of the airline's online shopping portal tomorrow.

The world's best low-cost airline is rolling out AirAsiaMegastore.com, an online portal which offers consumers worldwide a more convenient and greener way to shop. The online store is open 24 hours everyday. It offers an extensive range of branded and affordable products, many of which are sold at lower than retail shelf prices.

AirAsiaMegastore.com is the first innovative online shopping portal launched by a low-cost airline in the Asia Pacific region.

Johan Aris Ibrahim, Head of Financial Services & Loyalty, AirAsia, said, "AirAsiaMegastore.com amps the shopping experience for consumers, especially those who like hassle-free shopping. Now aside from buying plane seats and other travel-related services from AirAsia, consumers can also buy a wide array of consumer products. Everyone can now easily buy value-for-money merchandise with a few clicks of a button."

"The Megastore reflects AirAsia's focus on expanding ancillary income to contribute revenue to the Group at minimum cost. We're monetizing our website, which attracts millions of visitors each month. Also, the Megastore promotes an environment-friendly way of shopping, and it saves consumers from waiting in queues and traffic jams," he added.

AirAsiaMegastore.com sells AirAsia-branded merchandise as well as travel accessories (including the popular Lonely Planet travel series), electronic gadgets, designer apparel, fashion accessories, health supplements, shoes, cosmetics and more. The products are all guaranteed authentic.

User-friendly features make it easy for consumers to shop and pay online. Online transactions are guarded by tight security systems. AirAsiaMegastore.com accepts payments in any of eight popular currencies, including Malaysian ringgit, Indonesian rupiah, Thai baht, British pound, and Australian, Hong Kong, Singapore and US dollars.

The e-store gives generous rewards to loyal customers. Buyers will get an AirAsia e-gift voucher worth MYR10 (or its equivalent) for every MYR100 spent at AirAsiaMegastore.com from July 20 to August 8, 2010. AirAsiaMegastore.com is also giving grand prizes - free airfare and 3-days/2-nights stay in luxurious hotels in Bali, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur - to the top three buyers with the highest accumulated spending from July 20 to August 31, 2010.

Payment is easy and convenient, with AirAsiaMegastore.com accepting payments by Mastercard and Visa credit cards issued by Malaysian and international banks. It also accepts direct debit payments via Maybank and CIMB.

Free insurance protection is provided for all goods bought on AirAsiaMegastore.com so that all consumers can shop with peace of mind. The insurance, Megastore Assure, covers lost and damaged goods in transit*.

As of now, products bought may be shipped to 37 countries** in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe and North America. Customers may track shipping progress online.

AirAsiaMegastore.com is looking at later offering duty free items and allowing purchase from mobile gadgets.

TravelBlackBoard

Airasia Named Top Passenger Carrier by Changi Airport

20 July 2010

AirAsia reaps another award, this time being named one of the top 10 airlines in the passenger carriage category by Changi Airport Group.

The award “recognizes the contribution of airlines to Singapore’s air hub status,” Changi Airport Group said in a statement. AirAsia has been a huge contributor to the growth of passenger traffic at Changi Airport.

Asia’s leading and largest low-cost airline received the award at the Changi Airline Awards ceremony in Singapore last night.

Kathleen Tan, Regional Head of Commercial of AirAsia, received the award for the airline from Mr. Lee Seow Hiang, CEO of Changi Airport Group.

Photo credit: Changi Airport Group

“Changi Airport serves 89 airlines operating over 5,000 weekly scheduled flights to more than 200 cities in some 60 countries and territories,” Changi Airport added.

Singapore is one of AirAsia’s most popular destinations. The airline connects Singapore to 11 popular destinations, including Bali, Bandung, Jakarta and Yogyakarta in Indonesia; Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Langkawi and Penang






TravelBlackboard

AirAsia launches its lowest premium long-haul fare

19 July 2010

Kuala Lumpur AirAsia X, the leading long haul low fare arm of AirAsia has announced it will be offering guests its lowest premium flatbed fares yet – with premium fares from Kuala Lumpur to India, China, Taiwan, Australia and India from as low as RM529 (all in) one way.

The promo fare is available for online bookings from today 19 July until 1 August, 2010 for travel between 2 August 2010 and 15 November 2010.

Guests will be able to enjoy premium fares from as low as RM529* to India (Delhi, Mumbai), RM549* to Taiwan, RM599* to Chengdu, RM699* to Hangzhou and RM799* to Tianjin, China. Premium fares for Australian destinations are offered from as low as RM949* to Perth, RM1, 499* to Gold Coast and Melbourne. Guests opting for Stansted, London on premium will be able to fly premium from as low as RM2, 549*.

The Premium FlatBed seats, which offer executive level comfort for a fraction of typical business-class fares on legacy carriers, have a seat pitch of 60” and are 20” wide. Once in the full bed position, AirAsia X Premium passengers can stretch out to 77”.

AirAsia X’s new premium offering includes complimentary seat assignment, premium check-in, priority boarding, 20kgs baggage allowance, meals and non alcoholic drinks as well as a pillow and blanket.

AirAsia X CEO, Azran Osman-Rani, said: “We are constantly looking for ways to drive down fares and are thrilled to offer our lowest fares yet on the brand new FlatBed seats.”

“With this latest offer both business and leisure travellers can now treat themselves to luxury and still get great savings. Travel expenses are a growing issue for businesses but with AirAsia X’s extra low fares it is now cheaper than ever to stay well connected to clients and business partners.”

ExpressIndia.com

AirAsia offers special ‘Just-for-Two’ deals

19 July 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: Low-cost carrier AirAsia is offering special fares for two guests as part of its innovative marketing campaign enabled by new features incorporated in the airline's new reservation system.

Under the special "Just for Two" deal, two passengers for domestic flights will be able to travel for as low as RM50 while two passengers on international flights can travel for as low as RM100, both for one-way travel.

Passengers can book online at www.airasia.com or mobile.airasia.com from July 19 to July 25, 2010 for travel between Aug 2 and Nov 15 2010, the company said in a statement Monday.

AirAsia is also offering an Early Bird Promotion for travel next year where guests can book tickets between July 19 and July 25 to make their journey between February 14 and May 8, 2011.

AirAsia's Regional Head of Commercial Kathleen Tan said investment in the new reservation system would enable the airline to stay ahead.

"We have mentioned before that AirAsia guests will benefit from our new reservation and enjoy more savings, so here we are committed to what we have promised to our guests," Kathleen said.

- Bernama

Air Asia to Operate Denpasar-Darwin AirAsia to Fly from Bali to Darwin in October 2010.

17 July 2010

The Indonesia arm of AirAisa (IAA) have announced their intention to operate direct flights between Denpasar and Darwin commencing October 2010. The service connecting Bali to Australia's northwest will take up routes recently abandoned by the Indonesian national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia.

As reported in Bisnis.com, the President Director of IAA, Dharmadi, said the new service would operate four times a week using Airbus A320 aircraft with a capacity of 180 passengers.

Explaining his airlines decision to fly the new route, Dharmadi said the Denpasar-Darwin route can be flown in just 2 hours, well within the 5 hour flight range of the A 320. Final approval to permit flight operations over the new route, now rests with civil aviation authorities in Jakarta and Canberra. IAA

If approved, operations by IAA between Bali and Darwin will place the Indonesia airline in direct competition with JetStar Australia who also operate this route using A320 equipment.

Dharmadi told Bisnis.com. that the current twice-weekly service is averaging passenger loads above 90%, primarily comprised of Australia tourists.

IAA is targeting to convert their entire armada to A320 aircraft, bringing to 14 the total number of planes in their fleet by the end of November 2010.

49% of IAA is owned by AirAsia Berhad Malaysia. currently operates flights to Australia on the Denpasar-Perth, Western Australia route.


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