AirAsia X Optimistic Of Returning To The Black In FY2016

By Azizul Ahmad KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- Long-haul low-cost airline, AirAsia X Bhd, is confident of returning to the black in the current financial year ending Dec 31, 2016 given its new capacity management, says Group Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes. "AirAsia X is really going to prove all the critics wrong this year. "It’s something that Kamarudin (AirAsia Co-Founder, Kamaruddin Meranun) and myself are driven to do. And Ben (AirAsia X Chief Executive Officer Benyamin Ismail) 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," he told Bernama after relaunching AirAsia X's flight to New Zealand. AirAsia X Chief Executive Officer Benyamin Ismail said the company started to show positive outcome with promising forward booking through its new capacity management and revenue strategy. "AirAsia X routes are doing well now. Fuel (price) is benefitting us quite a bit so if the currency doesn't go any worst, I am confident that this year would be a profitable year," he said. Benyamin said the biggest lost last year was from the Australian sector but this year it is expected to do very well. He said AirAsia X would add Hawaii and China to its new routes this year besides increasing the frequency of flights on routes that are doing well. The Asia’s largest budget carrier Tuesday announced its resumption of service to New Zealand with flights from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland, New Zealand, via the Gold Coast, from March 22. Benyamin said AirAsia X last flew to New Zealand in 2011 with flights from Kuala Lumpur to Christchurch but withdrew the route the following year after the earthquakes in Canterbury which caused a drop in traffic. "We have all the confidence that this new route will thrive, riding on the success we achieved from our other Australian routes," he added. -- BERNAMA