Airasia X terbang semula ke New Zealand

Voyagers · Post time 12-1-2016 03:20 PM

AirAsia X returns to New Zealand, more routes planned
Jan 2016 14:36

PHOTOS

            AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes (centre) and AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail (3rd from right) at the launch of AirAsia X's service to Auckland. (Photo: Sumisha Naidu)





KUALA LUMPUR: Low-cost carrier AirAsia X on Tuesday (Jan 12) announced its return to New Zealand, launching flights to Auckland from Kuala Lumpur via Australia's Gold Coast beginning Mar 22, 2016.

Promotional fares starting from RM499 (US$113) for a one-way ticket will be available online starting Jan 13. AirAsia last launched services to New Zealand in 2011 but withdrew the Kuala Lumpur-Christchurch route in 2012, citing rising jet fuel costs.

Despite reporting huge losses, the airline also plans to launch two more routes to China in the second half of 2016. AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said Hawaii could also be in the works.

AirAsia X Berhad is expecting to be back in the black by the fourth quarter of 2016 after suffering massive losses in 2015 aggravated by a depreciating ringgit.

The long-haul low-cost airline reported a loss of RM288 million between July to September 2015, its eighth consecutive quarterly net loss. Its stock reportedly fell 66 per cent over the course of 2015.

"GOING TO PROVE ALL THE CRITICS WRONG"

Group CEO Tony Fernandes is confident of returning to the black in the current financial year ending Dec 31, 2016.

"AirAsia X is really going to prove all the critics wrong this year," he said. "Benyamin and the team are doing a fantastic job. We are confident that AirAsia X will be profitable this year. Rather than talk too much, let's deliver results."

CEO Benyamin said the company has started to show positive results with promising forward booking through its new capacity management and revenue strategy.

"The expectation this year is to be better than last year," said Benyamin. "The good thing is if you compare the last three quarters, we've improved.

"In terms of numbers, our losses are smaller - which is good. I think we'll be close to profitable in the fourth quarter, if not will be profitable for fourth quarter.

"As for the first and third, first and second quarters, we'll see how the trends go. But I think looking at the trends, it's looking good."

He added: "Last year in the fourth quarter, the ringgit was 3.7 to the US dollar. This year we're sitting at 4.4, so there will be some impact on the bottom line.

"There's no cash going out, so operationally that's the most important thing for me. Fuel prices are benefiting us quite a bit, so if the ringgit remains stable, I am confident that this year will be a profitable year."

bluehedgehog · Post time 12-1-2016 03:23 PM

baguih la...

MissNigga · Post time 12-1-2016 03:26 PM

tenks ankle tony .... mwahhhhhhhhh ciked

jfq · Post time 12-1-2016 03:26 PM

Bukan direct flight?

shuk_one · Post time 12-1-2016 03:30 PM

bestnya.... leh buat planning tgk lupine kat lake tekapo

kelapaparut · Post time 12-1-2016 03:35 PM

Xnakla naik aaX, pramugari dia xpakai tudung, better naik rayani air ke nz

-setazah bimbo

nikaido · Post time 12-1-2016 03:44 PM

memula baca, ingat pegi christchurch, pegi auckland rupanya. mas pun dah ada route ke auckland

hanakikan · Post time 12-1-2016 03:49 PM

ok la ke auckland. nak ke south bole naik new zealand air. bole tengok pramugari dorang yg tua2 dan gemuk2

Peterpan17 · Post time 12-1-2016 04:10 PM

hanakikan replied at 12-1-2016 03:49 PM
ok la ke auckland. nak ke south bole naik new zealand air. bole tengok pramugari dorang yg tua2 dan ...

Aku naik Air New Zealand dr Wellington ke Queenstown last year. Alahai!! hauknya FA derang. Badan mcm pemain ragbi NZ je. Aku rasa klu dia sekeh sikit je confirm aku jatuh. Bontot dia je nak lalu aisle kapal tu bg minuman dah tak cukup ruang