KUALA LUMPUR (May 2): AirAsia Bhd reported a 9% increase in the number of passengers carried at 15.23 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2017 (1Q17) from 13.94 million a year earlier as the budget airline's capacity and load factor rose.
 
In a statement late yesterday, AirAsia said capacity rose 5% to 17.13 million seats from 16.29 million. The number of passengers carried and capacity translated into a higher load factor at 89% versus 86%, according to AirAsia.

"In 1Q17, the group posted load factor of 89%, up three percentage points from the same period last year. The total number of passengers carried increased 9% year-on-year to 15.23 million, well ahead of the 5% increase in seat capacity.

"At the end of the quarter under review, the group’s total fleet size stood at 176 aircraft (180 including two A320 aircraft novated from MAA (Malaysia AirAsia) to Asia Aviation Capital and subsequently leased to a third party airline and two A320 aircraft delivered to AirAsia Japan but yet to commence operations)," AirAsia said.