KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 2): AirAsia X Bhd said its Malaysian unit carried 23% more passengers at 1.5 million in the third quarter from 1.22 million a year earlier on strong demand from Malaysians during the end of August when the National Day long weekend coincided with school holidays and Hari Raya Haji.

In a statement today, AirAsia X said capacity or number of seats flown increased 21% to 1.89 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2017 (3QFY17) from 1.56 million.

AirAsia X said its Malaysian unit continued to stimulate demand to fill up additional capacity injected in 3QFY17 despite the quarter "being traditionally one of the leanest quarters with passenger load factor improving to 79%, up 1 ppts YoY".

"During the quarter under review, AirAsia X Malaysia added frequency on one route: Kuala Lumpur — Taipei, in line with the company's strategy to strengthen the North Asia market. The fleet size remained at 22 (Airbus) A330s as no new aircraft was added into AirAsia X Malaysia in 3QFY17," the company said.

AirAsia X's operations include its Thailand and Indonesia units. Collectively, the group had 30 Airbus A330 aircraft across its Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia units as at 3QFY17.

"No additional aircraft was added into AirAsia X Thailand during the quarter under review hence their fleet size at the end of September 2017 remained at six aircraft. AirAsia X Indonesia fleet size remained with two A330s, hence bringing the total fleet of AirAsia X Group (the group) to 30," the group said.

At Bursa Malaysia today, AirAsia X shares settled at 38 sen at 12:30pm for a market value of RM1.56 billion. The stock saw 1.77 million shares traded.