Airasia Aviation Group is taking on the network “optimization.” This will launch more than 30 new routes this year, taking advantage of transportation opportunities.
The move focuses on full capacity recovery this year, focusing on a low-cost airline group with units from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia to “balance profitability and profitability.”
Airasia, which is in the process of being acquired by sister unit Airasia X, says it will focus on “enhancing cost leadership, optimizing network and flight frequency, and improving operational performance across key markets.”
“These efforts aim to support the growth of high-demand destinations such as India, China and ASEAN (Southeast Asian Countries Association),” the group adds.
Over the past few weeks, the group has announced a series of new routes, including flights from Kuala Lumpur and Denpasar Bali to Darwin. Over the next few months, AirAsia hopes to increase frequencies across the “high-demand routes.”
On March 25, AirAsia executives told local media that Central Asia will become another focus area given the operational success of Kazakhstan flights. Airasia's commercial director Amanda Woo is reportedly saying the airline group is about to launch a flight to Tashkent in Uzbekistan.
AirAsia is also considering increasing its share of transit traffic. Transport traffic rose in 2024, with airlines targeting passengers on transit to account for around 10% of total traffic this year, according to group chief Boringham.
According to Lingham, the majority of transport traffic will pass through two largest hubs, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, which currently handle around 95% of transit traffic.
He adds: “Our network strategy prioritizes strategic, demand-driven connectivity across Asia. With over 30 new routes and frequencies increasing in the most popular services, we are directly addressing market demand and (transport) opportunities.”
By the end of the year, AirAsia expects to fully recover its operational capabilities with 234 Airbus narrow bodies fleets in five units.
