KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 31): AirAsia Bhd carried 11% more passengers in the third quarter of 2016 (3Q16), compared to the same period last year, ahead of its 2% increase in seat capacity, as it saw more passengers carried in almost all its regional operations, except for the Philippines.

In a statement today, the budget airline said it carried 14.23 million passengers in 3Q16, while load factor was up 6 percentage points (ppts) to 87% from the same period last year.

The group's total fleet size stood at 171 aircraft (173 if the two aircraft delivered to AirAsia Japan that has yet to commence operations are included) at the end of the quarter under review.

"Malaysia AirAsia (MAA) achieved a load factor of 89% in 3Q16, a record high and an increase of 7 ppts y-o-y," it said.

MAA's passenger numbers increased 5% y-o-y to 6.63 million while capacity was reduced by 3%. It ended the quarter with a fleet size of 77 aircraft including two newly delivered Airbus A320neo.

Thai AirAsia (TAA), meanwhile, posted a load factor of 84% in 3Q16, up 3 ppts y-o-y. The number of passengers carried increased 21% y-o-y to 4.33 million, more than the 17% increase in capacity, it said.

"During the quarter, TAA started operating the Hat Yai-Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok-Vientiane routes and increased frequencies on the Bangkok-Udon Thani route. TAA ended the quarter with a fleet size of 49 aircraft," it added.

Indonesia AirAsia achieved a record load factor of 90% in 3Q16 with a 15-ppt increase y-o-y, while passenger numbers were 2% higher y-o-y at 1.71 million, though capacity was reduced by 14%.

Its fleet comprised 22 aircraft at end-September, including eight aircraft operated by Indonesia AirAsia X.

Philippines AirAsia's (PAA) load factor stood at 83% in 3Q16, a decrease of 1 ppt y-o-y, while the number of passengers carried was at 980,000, up 8% y-o-y.

Capacity increased by 9% y-o-y as frequencies were added on the Manila-Kalibo (Boracay) and Manila-Puerto Princessa routes. PAA ended the quarter with a 15-aircraft fleet.

Lastly, AirAsia India (AAI) achieved a load factor of 88% in 3Q16, up 12 ppts y-o-y, with a 42% y-o-y rise in number of passengers carried at 590,000, more than the 23% increase in capacity.

"Three new routes were inaugurated during the quarter: Bengaluru-Guwahati, Bengaluru-Hyderabad and Hyderabad-Goa. Frequencies were added on the Bengaluru-Goa route," it said.

AAI had a fleet of eight aircraft at end-September.