Friday 29 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Bhd’s carried 7% more passengers in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2016 (4QFY16), at 14.51 million versus 13.53 million a year ago, backed by a 5% capacity growth to 17.09 million seats from 16.26 million seats previously.

In a statement today, Asia’s biggest low-cost carrier said its load factor was at 85% in 4QFY16, up two percentage points (ppts) from 83% in the same period last year.

At end-FY16, AirAsia’s fleet size stood at 172 aircraft (174 including two more delivered to AirAsia Japan but yet to commence operations), versus 170 in FY15.

For the entire FY16, the group carried 56.59 million passengers in all, up 12% from 50.68 million passengers the year before, while capacity grew by 4% to 65.98 million seats from 63.34 million. Full year load factor rose to 86% in FY16 from 80% previously.

Its Malaysian operation, from where AirAsia derives most of its revenue, achieved a load factor of 87% in 4QFY16, up from 85% a year ago, as demand exceeded the 2% year-on-year increase in capacity, with the number of passengers carried by Malaysia AirAsia (MAA) coming in 5% higher at 6.76 million passengers compared with 6.47 million passengers a year ago.

MAA ended the quarter with a fleet size of 77 aircraft. For FY16, MAA carried 26.41 million passengers, 9% more than the 24.25 million passengers in FY15, with average load factor climbing to 87% from 81%.

Thai AirAsia (TAA), meanwhile, carried 4.37 million passengers, up 8% from 4.02 million passengers a year ago, while adding 10% more seats at 5.35 million seats, versus 4.89 million previously. The Thai assciate's average load factor growth, however, was flat at 82%.

TAA took two additional aircraft during the quarter, ending the year with a fleet of 51 aircraft.

For the whole FY16, TAA carried 17.22 million passengers, up 16% from 14.85 million passengers the year before, outpacing capacity increment of 12% to 20.48 million seats from 18.22 million seats previously. It achieved a 3 ppts rise in load factor to 84%.

In Indonesia, due to its turnaround strategy, AirAsia’s associate flew 7% fewer passengers of 1.55 million in 4QFY16, in line with its 10% capacity cut to 1.86 million seats from 2.07 million seats a year ago. Indonesia AirAsia (IAA)’s load factor, however, grew to 83% in 4QFY16, from 80% previously.

IAA ended the quarter under review with a fleet size of 22 aircraft, including eight aircraft operated by Indonesia AirAsia X. For the full year, IAA's growth in passengers carried was also flat at 6.52 million passengers, as capacity was cut by 11% to 7.77 million seats from 8.76 million seats a year ago; IAA’s average load factor rose to 84% from 74% in FY15.

Philippines AirAsia (PAA), meanwhile, carried 19% more passengers in 4QFY16 from 871,225 a year ago, while capacity climbed 13% to 1.22 million seats from 1.08 million seats previously. PAA ended 4QFY16 with an average load factor of 85%, up 4ppts from 81% previously. It ended the quarter with a fleet of 14 aircraft.

In FY16, PAA carried 11% more passengers at 3.99 million, versus 3.59 million in FY15, with 3% more seats at 4.61 million versus 4.46 million previously. For the full FY16, PAA’s average load factor rose to 87% from 81% previously.

Lastly, AirAsia disclosed that its India associate carried 56% more passengers at 792,132 during 4QFY16, compared with 508,407 passengers a year ago, as capacity increased 52% to 921,960 seats from 607,680 seats over two quarters. Hence, its load factor grew to 86% from 84% in 4QFY15.

AAI’s fleet consisted of eight aircraft at the end of the quarter. For FY16, AAI carried 68% more passengers at 2.45 million versus 1.46 million passengers a year ago. ITs capacity also went up by 56% to 2.84 million seats, from 1.82 million seats previously. Average load factor for the year improved to 86% from 81%.

AirAsia’s share price settled unchanged at RM2.49 today, valuing it at RM6.99 billion.

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