KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 28): AirAsia X Bhd (AAX), the low-cost long-haul affiliate of AirAsia Group Bhd, said today it carried 3% fewer passengers at 1.5 million in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2018 (4Q18) from 1.55 million a year ago, while passenger load factor also came in lower at 78%.

AAX attributed the weaker quarterly performance to additional capacity of 2% year-on-year (y-o-y) being deployed to core markets for the year-end travelling season.

"In addition, there were impact on several routes – Japan and Indonesia – which were hit by natural disasters. Load factor for Kathmandu route was also significantly impacted on the back of gradual route termination done in 4Q18, as well as Nepalese government ban on workers going to Malaysia," it said in a statement today.

ASK for 4Q18 was flat at 9.16 million as capacity was deployed to shorter routes since termination of Tehran and Kathmandu during the year. Two aircraft were added during the quarter, hence the total fleet size of AirAsia X in Malaysia grew to 24 Airbus A330s as at end of December 2018.

On its associates, AirAsia X Thailand reported a 19% increase in passenger volume to 530,754 passengers in 4Q18, with a load factor of 85%. AirAsia X Indonesia, meanwhile, posted a load factor of 70% in 4Q19 and carried a total number of 48,180 passengers during the quarter under review.

On a full-year basis, AAX Malaysia posted record number of passengers flown at 6.17 million, up 6% y-o-y, in line with a 7% capacity growth.

"This was mainly driven by the introduction of four new routes in 2018 and continued focus on building market share in core markets, while moving away from non-core countries such as Iran, Nepal and Maldives," it said.

At 4.59pm, AAX shares were unchanged at 29 sen, bringing a market capitalisation of RM1.2 billion.