AirAsia X Part 1: Australia-Malaysia expansion resumes, while competitor Malaysia Airlines steadies

Author: Tan KW   |   Publish date: Wed, 10 Aug 2016, 10:16 AM  10-Aug-2016 AirAsia X is resuming expansion in the Australia-Malaysia market, offsetting cuts which were implemented in early 2015 as part of a restructuring. The long haul low cost airline will operate 56 weekly flights between Australia and Malaysia in late 2016, matching its previous high of 56 weekly flights in late 2014. AirAsia X is now looking at further expanding its network in Australia with several potential new destinations. Several new destinations are under consideration, as well as additional capacity to its four existing destinations – Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Cuts at Malaysia Airlines have opened up a potential opportunity for AirAsia X to add more capacity to Australia’s four primary cities – where Malaysia Airlines has relinquished traffic rights. AirAsia X has already added capacity from Jul-2016 to the Gold Coast, where there are no bilateral restrictions, and is adding three seasonal weekly frequencies to Melbourne from early Dec-2016. [2118 words] Unlock the following content in this report: Subheadings: AirAsia X reintroduces Australia capacity AirAsia X’s late 2016 capacity to Australia will be back to 2014 levels Expansion of Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia X led to overcapacity in Australia-Malaysia market Malaysia Airlines followed AirAsia X in cutting Australia capacity Malaysia Airlines reduces its focus on transit traffic from Australia Transit traffic drives AirAsia X’s Australia growth AirAsia X responds to strong demand with additional Australia capacity AirAsia X keen to add more capacity to Australia Graphs and data: AirAsia X one-way weekly seat capacity from Australia to Malaysia: Aug-2013 to Jan-2018 Foreign airlines in Australia ranked by weekly seat capacity: 5-Dec-2016 to 11-Dec-2016 Malaysia Airlines one-way seat capacity from Australia to Malaysia: Aug-2013 to Jan-2017 http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/airasia-x-part-1-australia-malaysia-expansion-resumes-while-competitor-malaysia-airlines-steadies-296184