Air Asia starts its first service from Trichy to KualaLumpur from Nov 01 2008 although the security clearance from DGCA is still awaited.
- The service will be daily.
- The airline would deploy an all-economy class Airbus 320, with a passenger capacity of 180.
- The flight from Kuala Lumpur would arrive to Trichy at 8.55 a.m. and depart at 9.25 a.m. Airports Authority of India officials at the Tiruchi Airport have already cleared the schedule.
September 20, 2008 at 1:03 AM
Happy to hear the news about Air Asia operations scheduled to be commissioned from November 1 onwards. The report in the HINDU newspaper also talked about Silk Air is also studying the possibility of introducing flight operations.
Congratulations Tiruchians!!!!!!!
September 21, 2008 at 6:43 AM
Good news. By the way the residents of Kuwait met Air India manager and urged to have air india express connecting Kuwait and Trichy. If this happens, it will be great for all tamilians. Let us hope.
http://www.indiansinkuwait.com/eventsindetail.asp?2463=436
October 6, 2008 at 3:57 PM
nice to hear this news but also afraid because last time it was supposed to service KL to Dhaka but it didnt. Now we would like to now the exact news whether it will be started on 1st november or not!!we are looking for more reliable information.Thanks
October 12, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Can Air Asia fly without the approval of DGCA? 1st November is not very far away from today. Until today, Air Asia is yet to issue an official confirmation on this nor the online sale of ticket is available. It looks like that they are going to disappoint people like me who did not book tickets from other low cost airlines such as airindiaexpress or tiger airways… If you book your ticket now from these airlines, the tickets are no longer low fare…
October 13, 2008 at 8:46 AM
MAHB to woo European, African airlines
MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) expects to attract between four or five long-haul flight operators from Europe and Africa at the ongoing 14th World Route Development Forum or Routes KL 2008.
Among the airlines that the airport operator hopes to attract are South African Airways, British Airways and Air France.
Out of 53 airlines operating at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), only Lufthansa and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operate long-haul flights, managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad told a news conference in conjunction with the launch of Routes KL in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Also present were MAHB chairman Tan Sri Dr Aris Othman, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Abd Hakim Borhan, Routes Development Group (RDG) chief executive officer Mike Howarth and RDG senior vice president (Asia Pacific) Mike Berman.
There will be about 30,000 pre-scheduled meetings between 300 airlines and 600 airports during the three-day Routes, which ends tomorrow. MAHB alone has over 200 pre-scheduled meetings, including with airlines that operate long-haul flights.
In a statement issued later, Bashir said MAHB is confident of finalising negotiations with two or three new carriers which will start operations in Malaysia before year-end.
Asked on when the targeted long-haul flight operators are expected to start flying from Malaysia, Bashir said it depends on the respective airlines to decide based on the viability of their services.
It is learnt that negotiations between airlines and airport operators may take months to a couple of years before the airlines decide to operate at the airports.
Bashir said MAHB will discuss with the airlines on how to make the airlines’ services viable.
“We will try to address each airline’s needs,” he said, adding that the viability of the airlines’ services will also depend on the demand from passengers and the right fare.
He said MAHB will provide air traffic for the airlines operating in Malaysia by promoting tourism in the country.
“Regionally, we are well covered with airlines from India, Middle East and China,” he said.
He also said that since global oil prices have come down again, it may provide impetus for the airlines to re-look their route development.
MAHB operates 39 airports in Malaysia, including five international airports.
Meanwhile, in a statement, MAHB said it has attracted new routes to its five international airports namely KLIA, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Langkawi.
Since early this year, there were more than 55 new routes from 12 airlines, generating about 200 additional weekly flights.
MAHB said another seven destinations will be added before year-end.
“From Kuala Lumpur, Air Asia X will continue their network expansion to Australia, starting services to Melbourne and Perth in November. AirAsia will start flying to Tiruchirapally, while Air Niugini, a new carrier to Kuala Lumpur, is planning to start new services to Papua New Guinea .
“Firefly will also start two new points from Penang to Medan and Banda Aceh,” it said.
On the KL-Singapore trunk route, Tiger Air and AirAsia have announced frequency increases with both carriers adding additional four daily frequencies.
This would translate into additional 56 weekly flights on top of the current 129 weekly flights between KL and Singapore, an increase of over 40 per cent.
October 14, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Dear all Tiruchians!
Like to know the current status of the the expansion project at Tiruchy and as informed earlier of Opening in the month of October, when can we expect the opening? can anyone find out from DGCA and inform us?
Eagerly awaited to fly directly from Middle east to Tiruchy !!!!.
October 15, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Based on Mr Toni Fernandes,Air Asia will now fly to Trichy in December only.God only knows when they will start the flight
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/16/stories/2008101651671200.htm
October 16, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Thanks Kumar.
This is a disappointing news. First, it was October. Then Nov and now Dec. Who is holding up?
October 17, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Looks like AirAsia hasnt got all the necessary clearences.Even December launch would depend on the clearecne from the govt.I am wondering if AAI is waiting for the New Terminal to become operational before giving permission to Air Asia and other airlines
“We are planning to start daily services to Trichy by the first week of December, depending on grant of all necessary clearances,” Air Asia chief Toni Fernandes told PTI here.
He said the airline and its fully-owned subsidiary, Air Asia X, were looking at launching services to several cities, mostly in South India, soon after starting its first flight to Trichy which had “a potential capacity of double daily flight operations”.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200810171432.htm
October 17, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Yeah,,,,,,,,,,,currently Air Asia is planning twice daily flights to Trichy to start with……………………… since, the response with enquiries are tremendous, according to the Air Asia customer services in KL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 27, 2008 at 12:52 PM
A very good news Comrades!!! It is on!
AirAsia gets nod to fly to India
By ROYCE CHEAH
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/27/nation/20081027134243&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia has finally conquered its “last frontier” with the Indian Government giving the low-cost carrier approval to fly to India.
AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes said the airline would start selling tickets to Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu at midnight on Wednesday with the first flight to take off on Dec 1 at 7.40am.
“It will be a daily flight and we are looking at even adding a second flight now as the initial response has been tremendous,” he told reporters Monday during a press conference here.
Special promotional prices for the flight will cost RM49 one-way while the normal ticket price will cost about RM200 one-way.
Fernandes said plans are now in the works for the next one and a half years to fly to many more destinations in India including Madras, Madurai and Kochi with AirAsia.
“AirAsia-X meanwhile will fly to places like New Dehli, Bombay, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Calcutta,” he added.
He said AirAsia would initially invest between RM5mil to RM7mil to set up infrastructure in India and he is confident that it will do well.
“This is an exciting period for us and I’m looking at a high load factor of at least 90% for our first flight,” he said.
Fernandes said it had taken the airline seven years to reach this stage and with India now in its pocket, his mission as CEO is complete.
“I had said then that India would be the last place we need to get to. It is now over to AirAsia-X to grow the business to Japan, South Korea, Europe and the United States.”
Fernandes said he expects a huge growth in Indian tourism in Malaysia and that he is not worried about the global economic slowdown.
“I believe that you have to be innovative. While other airlines are cutting back we are expanding and can take up their slack.
“Maybe some of the population in India cannot afford to fly with us, but there are many more who can and this is the market we are after,” he said.
Fernandes also said, in response to recent Malaysia Airlines (MAS) advertisements, that his battle with MAS is over and that it is time to move on.
October 27, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Ya YA ITs TRUE …….
October 29, 2008 at 5:21 PM
I have bought my ticket for a visit on 7 Dec 08 departing KL and returning on 16 Dec 08 for an amazingly cheap fare of RM501 (including taxes, xpress boarding, meals, bus transit etc.,)
See some of you guys on the flight….
Well Done Air Asia…
October 30, 2008 at 3:51 AM
I have bought one way tkt from Singapore->KL->Trichy for SGD150.00 (ofcourse, two different bookings on mid Dec 2008)
Great job Tony!
October 30, 2008 at 4:56 PM
HEy Guys s the Inaugural Flight to Trichy is Full ……..
WOW its a Amazing news……. .
AIR ASIA ><<<Keep On Rooling on
November 6, 2008 at 3:42 AM
Dear Tamilians especially Tiruchians!!!!!!
If you guys coming here to Kuala Lumpur and need my assistance in booking the hotels & tours in Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands or Penang….Please feel free to contact me!!
My Malaysia local contact number is +60172260005 or email me at saran@parlotours.com.my . I am working as a Sales Manager in Parlo Tours Malaysia.
Hope I can serve my Tamilians and Indians with excellent services yet Very Reasonable Price.
Tamilla Tamilla…Naallai nam naalleh…Tamilla tamilla…Naadum nam Naadeh!!!
Valga Tamil…Valarga Tamil !!!!!!!!
Thank You Tamilians
Your Tamilla,
Saran
November 7, 2008 at 1:02 PM
ரூ.699 கட்டணத்தில் கோலாலம்பூரில் இருந்து திருச்சிக்கு நேரடி விமானம்
நவம்பர் 07,2008,11:46
மும்பை : மலேஷியாவை சேர்ந்த குறைந்த கட்டண விமான சேவை நிறுவனமான ஏர் – ஏசியா, டிசம்பர் ஒன்றாம் தேதியில் இருந்து கோலாலம்பூருக்கும் திருச்சிக்குமிடையே தினசரி நேரடி விமான சேவையை துவங்குகிறது. டிசம்பர் ஒன்றாம் தேதியில் இருந்து கோலாலம்பூரில் இருந்து திருச்சிக்கு அனுப்ப இருக்கும் நேரடி விமான சேவைக்காக புத்தம்புது ஏர்பஸ் ஏ – 20 விமானத்தை ஏர் -ஏசியா பயன்படுத்த இருக்கிறது என்று ஏர் – ஏசியா வெளியிட்ட செய்தி குறிப்பு சொல்கிறது. மேலும் இதனை கொண்டாடும் விதமாக, கோலாலம்பூரில் இருந்து திருச்சி வர ரூ.699 மட்டும் ( ஏர்போர்ட் டாக்ஸ்கள், எரிபொருள் சர்சார்ஜ் தனி ) ஸ்பெஷல் கட்டணமாக வசூலிக்க அது முடிவு செய்திருக்கிறது. ஆனால் இந்த குறைந்த கட்டணத்திற்கான டிக்கெட்டை பயணிகள், அக்டோபர் 30ம் தேதியில் இருந்து நவம்பர் 9 ம் தேதிக்குள் வாங்கி விட வேண்டும். பயண நாள் அடுத்த வருடம் ஜூலை 31 க்குள் இருக்கலாம். திருச்சியை தவிர மற்ற இந்திய நகரங்களுக்கும் இன்னும் ஒன்றரை வருடத்தில் நாங்கள் விமான சேவையை துவங்க திட்டமிட்டிருக்கிறோம் என்று ஏர் – ஏசியாவின் தலைமை நிர்வாக அதிகாரி டோனி ஃபெர்ணான்டஸ் தெரிவித்தார்.சென்னை, கோல்கட்டா, கொச்சி, பெங்களுரு நகரங்களுக்கும் அதன் பின் புதுடில்லி மற்றும் மும்பைக்கு விமான சேவை நடத்த நாங்கள் திட்டமிட்டிருக்கிறோம் என்றார் ஃபெர்ணான்டஸ்.
November 8, 2008 at 3:00 PM
It is rather disappointing to note that our national carrier AIE could not foresee the traffic potential b/w KL-TRZ and operate the direct service b/w KL-TRZ whereas Airasia capitalized the market and glad to note the flight from KL-TRZ is fully booked upto 10th December 2008.
It is reminder/wake up call for AIE before they lose the TRZ-SIN sector. I think if AirAsia starts JB-TRZ sector, AIE will start losing passengers due to high fare and operating via MAS on the return sector TRZ-SIN
November 9, 2008 at 6:21 AM
Yeah……………..AIR ASIA is planning to introduce 2nd daily flight soon, due to overwhelming response!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonder,,,,,,,,,,,,, if Tiger airways introduction from Singapore-Trichy, would have the same repercussions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 19, 2008 at 9:14 AM
happy news to Trichy at last.
November 19, 2008 at 9:16 AM
paramount airways going to start new services to trichy from goa,b’lore,coimbatore despite economic crisis.
December 1, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Hello Tiruchians,
Can anyone tell when will AirAsia start its service to Tiruchi from Malayasia?
December 1, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Anybody went to Airport for
Airasia’s inagural flight function to Trichy?
December 1, 2008 at 10:37 AM
THe service begins from today…
We will wait and see for the news till 2marro
December 1, 2008 at 1:40 PM
AirAsia start service taday
December 1, 2008 at 1:41 PM
AirAsia start service today
December 2, 2008 at 4:44 AM
Air Asia started their flight services to Tiruchi from Kulalampur with 180 passengers and returned to Kulalambpur with 101 passengers. It was informed in the newspaper, there were more than 100 passengers booked for next twenty days. There is a very good response for this new service. Many newspapers published the photo of the first AirAsia flight arrival to Tiruchi. CNN also reported in the flash news that Air ASia budget airlines to India to Tiruchi. This is the fifth international destination from Tiruchi. I hope more airlines will come to start the services once the new terminal declared opened with more facilities.
December 2, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Can any one post the snap shot published in the newspapers.
December 2, 2008 at 2:05 PM
Here is dinakaran news:
http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/showxml.aspx?id=326995&code=19083
Here is the picture:
http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/2122008/DN_021208_E1_02-01_TRY.jpg
December 3, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Hi all,
Please visit our website for air asia ticket booking. Discount price available right now. call +9965593027 for more details
email : info@nicolastravels.com
December 3, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Hi all,
Please visit our website for air asia ticket booking. Discount price available right now. call +9965593027 for more details
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December 4, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Air Asia finally landed in TRICHY airport on dec 1,2008.hurray.most of passengers prefer airasia to go to singapore,if AIE not improve its service,it will going to loose.
December 4, 2008 at 9:45 AM
AirAsia pioneer talks about more KL-Singapore flights
By Jennifer Chen, TODAY | Posted: 04 December 2008 1054 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
SINGAPORE: AirAsia chief executive officer Tony Fernandes was all glee on Monday when the low-cost carrier began the first of its seven daily flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.
The reasons were many. At the top of the list was that his dream of total open skies between Singapore and KL had been realised. He compared the challenge of opening the route — which used to cost about S$400 return on full-service carriers — to “Nelson Mandela fighting for freedom”.
“It was ridiculous that the most expensive route in Asia was KL-Singapore,” he said.
Now, the fares could be as low as S$60 return on budget carriers, which also include Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia. There are some 14 flights daily from Singapore to KL.
The plane that Mr Fernandes greeted on the tarmac on Monday was 85 per cent full, with many Singaporeans on board. From this group, Mr Fernandes met a couple who flew to Kuala Lumpur on their way to Langkawi. Which thrilled him no end.
“Singaporeans certainly don’t think about flying to KL to take a flight,” he said. Indeed, flying to KL allows Singaporeans to tap into a web of budget connections offered by AirAsia and its long haul arm, AirAsia X. Both launched new routes last week — the former to Trichy, Tamil Nadu; the latter to London.
Does Mr Fernandes think Singaporeans will fly to KL to switch planes?
“I think it’s beginning to happen,” he said. “Singaporeans are very savvy. They are very loyal to their wallets. Malaysians, too,” he added with a laugh.
The company recently scrapped its fuel surcharges, which Mr Fernandes admitted was a big risk, but according to him, sales tripled.
“Singaporeans are also adventurous. The young in Singapore want to travel. They want to see Borneo, Siem Reap… We provide that connectivity, so I don’t think it will be hard to convince them.”
Route-wise, short-haul carrier AirAsia has covered all the countries within its range. It will focus on flying to more destinations in China and India. There’s more potential for AirAsia X to go global.
“I’d love to see AirAsia X fly to Africa — KL to Nairobi. And, one day to the States. Maybe my last route will be KL-Rio.”
That’s Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which is more than 24 hours by plane away from KL.
But Mr Fernandes is accustomed to dreaming big, taking risks and opening routes to places most people don’t know about. Like Tiruchirappalli, or Trichy, which he had heard about at a funeral. He decided to fly to Trichy because of the town’s religious significance and the fact that a “lot of Indians from Malaysia and Singapore are from there”.
His dream is for the seven-year-old AirAsia to take on Singapore Airlines — though not all of it. “SQ is the best airline in the world without a doubt,” he said. “My aim now is to tell people that we are as good as they are … in the back end. I think we can be as good in the economy section. That’s my goal before I leave my job as CEO.” – TODAY/rose
December 10, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Dear all,
What happened? so far no comments received for the past 7 days.
December 11, 2008 at 8:23 AM
After AirAsia arrival to trichy, this message would have reached to almost to all level and completion of new terminal building will lead to think or start new service from various destination to trichy.
I hope we can expect this soon.
December 11, 2008 at 1:57 PM
As usual the inauguration of new terminal building is waiting for politicians approval.I dont know when they will have time to open the terminal.
December 11, 2008 at 6:21 PM
I agree AirAsia arrival would have been noticed by various airlines, but will the govt really give the permissions to airlines to start new services? Air Arabia has been waiting for over a year now and yet to get the approval to fly to Trichy.
December 12, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Air Asia is arranging all kinds of advertisement about the launching of the flight to Tiruchi – Kulalampur. They advertised half a page in THE HINDU and Tamil Dailies two times in colour. They are conducting mobile van exhibition informing as low-cost carrier which connects different regions in Asia.
December 20, 2008 at 5:00 AM
I came to Trichy on 6th Dec and came back to KL on 16th through Air Asia flight. Ticket for two legs cost me only RM501 (Rupees 6,800) as I was one of the 1st to book the flight when it was launched. However, I also bought a ticket for my relative sometime later and the prices came very exhorbitant (RM1,800). This fare is more expensive than a regular airliner such as Jet Airways which allows passengers to carry up to 40kg of luggage. Because of the need to travel together, I bought the ticket for my relative despite the exhorbitant price.
This goes to show that though we welcome so much Air Asia’s service to Trichy, we should not allow the airline to monopolise the KL-Trichy route. Hope other airliners such as Tiger Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Jet Airlines etc., would fly to Trichy.
December 20, 2008 at 9:01 AM
I too think the fare seems to be more than what AirAsia had announced.The fare of Rs 15000 return ticket seems to be same as Jet Airways.We have to wait and see how the passengers will response to AirAsia’s fare on the longer run.
December 28, 2008 at 3:40 AM
No further updates on happenings in Trichy?
When is the new Airport opening?
The road from Trichy to Tanjavur is in pathetic condition? When would the construction be over?
December 28, 2008 at 6:21 AM
Oops the Trichy Tanjavur road is more than pathetic, We use to call the travel between Trichy & Thuvax (adhanungo Thuvukudi !!!) as TTT , means Trichy Thuvax Torture. I heard that it would be completed by March’09 but the pace at which things are happening i doubt.
January 1, 2009 at 6:40 AM
Hello All tiruchians,
I wish you a happy new year 2009.
I wish, this new year be a Prosperous year to our trichy.
January 12, 2009 at 4:12 PM
In 2007 December, one of the staffs at the airport told me that the airport should open in march. I thought the “march” means March 2008 but then I realized it is not.
So when will it be opened? Now the current airport is unable to handle “Physically Challenged” people. When will the new airport with aero bridge be operational?????
I undestand that more airlines are waiting to operate from Tiruchi. Hope Tiger, SilkAir and AirAsia will start their services from Tiruchi.
A lot of people who fly thru Cennei are actually from Tanjavur, Tiruvarur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Karaikkal and Tiruchy area. Its time Airlines know the inner part of Tamil Nadu.
Someone please reply….
January 13, 2009 at 6:35 AM
AirAsia starts new baggage policy
Published: 2009/01/13
LOW cost carrier AirAsia has implemented a new baggage policy from today.
Dubbed Supersize, AirAsia pasengers can now choose from three tiers of baggage sizes when purchasing tickets online.
For domestic flights, customers can choose from Supersize Regular for up to 15kg of baggage and pay a nominal sum of RM5, Supersize Medium for up to 20kg at RM43 or Supersize Large for up to 25kg at RM80.
For international sectors, the charges are RM5, RM55 and RM105 for Supersize Regular, Supersize Medium and Supersize Large respectively, it said in a statement today.
“With the implementation of Supersize, customers no longer have to pay the checked-in baggage handling fee of RM5 per piece of luggage.
“This means passengers who opt for Supersize Regular can check in more than one piece of luggage but only pay RM5 as long as the total weight does not exceed 15kg,” regional head of commercial Kathleen Tan said.
She said a similar baggage policy had previously been implemented for AirAsia X flights with rate revisions for its Supersize implementation.
Tan also said from today, Supersize Regular for AirAsia X remains at the previous rate of RM20, while Supersize Medium and Supersize Large now cost RM55 and RM105 respectively.
Meanwhile, the over-the-counter excess baggage fees remains at RM15 per kg for domestic flights and RM20 per kg for international sectors, she said.
“There is also no change to AirAsia X excess baggage charge of RM20 per kg on all its international sectors, except for London Stansted, where the charge is RM50 per kg,” Tan added. — Bernama
January 24, 2009 at 7:45 AM
Any one has any idea on Air Asia’s plan to increase the frequency? How about other Airlines from Malaysia and Singapore to fly to Trichy? Only then, we can give a run for money to Air Asia to keep its fare competitive. If you try to book Air Asia’ flight to Trichy for this month or next month, you will find the fare to be more expensive than the regular airlines such as Jet Airways and MAS (if you include a price for extra luggage you can carry in these airlines + meals + the comfort).
And on a separate matter, why the news about Trichy is getting so infrequent these days in this website?
February 2, 2009 at 8:51 AM
I want to trvael from Trichy Airport to Oman. Please advise me Which flight service ?
Basheer
February 2, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Only Srilankan is having connectivity to major middle east destinations. For muscat you have only srilankan from tiruchy and no other choice.
February 11, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Dear Friends,
I am working for a pvt ltd company here in trichy. We have job openings for Malay (Malaysian Lang) speaking candidates in our company. Interested candidates can kindly forward your profiles to shanmugamhr@gmail.com Kindly do refer your friends too to avail this wonderful opportunity if they could speak malay.
Thanks in advance…
Regards,
Shanmugam
February 15, 2009 at 1:17 PM
More AirAsia flights to India
Special Correspondent
KUALA LUMPUR: Buoyed by its successful foray into the Indian market with a direct service between Tiruchi and Kuala Lumpur, the low-cost carrier AirAsia is planning to operate service to more destinations in the country.
The airline’s service on Tiruchi-Kuala Lumpur sector has proved to be a commercial hit with the flights averaging more than 80 per cent load factor on both ways, right from the launch on December 1.
AirAsia serves the route with a 180-seater Airbus A-320 departing from the low cost carrier terminal in Kuala Lumpur.
“We are overwhelmed by the response to the service. We are considering a second frequency on the route,” Kathleen Tan, Head, Commercial, AirAsia, told visiting journalists from India and other countries recently.
New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad are some of the potential destinations that the airline is looking at to introduce services, apart from a few tier-II cities. AirAsia X, a subsidiary of the AirAsia, would operate on some of these long haul sectors with flight duration of more than four hours.
The no-frills airline’s low prices have indeed become a major attraction for families to think of foreign travel. “Our success has been in making air travel affordable. Families who have never flown before are now our customers,” observed Ms.Tan.
While other low-cost airlines have struggled and held back in the wake of the global meltdown, the AirAsia has remained aggressive.
The airline operates on 110 routes already and is adding more destinations even while rapidly expanding its fleet strength. It has developed a successful and profit-making business model through a combination of strategies to keep operational costs minimal.
Flights are served by an in-flight cabin crew of just four. They perform multi-task. They even clean up the on-flight litter to enable a quick turn around time – 25 minutes, considered one of the quickest in the industry.
Fuel efficiency is another strategic focus area. “We have taken care to see even the seat covers are light weight so as to achieve maximum fuel efficiency,” said Ms.Tan.
The airline has also invested heavily on safety and set up a training academy with an investment of $20 million.
February 15, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Way to go Air Asia!
I salute you. You make me go to India twice this year (n I am thinking of adding one more if another round of promotional fares is announced)…and I visited India last year after 6 long years being away from this beloved country…
July 4, 2009 at 6:10 AM
AirAsia eyes more destinations in Asia Pacific, Middle East
BERNAMA
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KUALA LUMPUR, SAT:
AirAsia Bhd, the low cost carrier which services an extensive network with 122 routes covering more than 65 destinations, is seeking to serve more major and small cities in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
Through its corporate philosophy of ”Now Everyone Can Fly”, the leading low cost airline in Asia says it is committed to serve three billion people who are “currently underserved with poor connectivity and high fares”.
“We will go anywhere over four-hour destinations for our AirAsia X and below four-hour destinations for AirAsia,” said AirAsia chairman Datuk Aziz Bakar in an interview with Bernama.
AirAsia X is the low cost long-haul affiliate carrier of AirAsia that currently flies to destinations in China, Australia and the UK.
The carrier is planning to add two to three new routes before end of this year in China such as Xi’an and Chongqing, and four new routes in India comprising Bangalore, Trivandram, Chennai and Cochin, Aziz said.
He said the airline has applied to fly into South Korea, and is also eyeing other destinations in the Middle East and Australia like Sydney.
“The time is right for us to fully take advantage of the current economic downturn and be prepared when the economy turns around.
“I think many full service airline passengers are turning to non-frill service because they tend to spend less and save more,” he said.
Aziz said AirAsia was also promoting its services aggressively to stimulate demand.
“The demand is there and people will fly if they get cheap fares. Passengers only pay the ticket but when they pay for food, we have to make sure it is value for money,” he said.
Aziz said AirAsia’’s average load factor was about 73 to 75 percent in the last three months, while AirAsia X had been getting very strong load factor.
The London flight’s average load factor was between 80 and 83 percent.
Asked on the impact of influenza A (H1N1) virus, he said the airline’’s forward booking was not affected very much in the last two months but it was continuing with its aggressive marketing.
“There is H1N1, but if we are to offer 5,000 free tickets to fly to any destinations within Asia, I’m sure it would be fully taken up within three to four hours,” he said.
Commenting on the new low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT), Aziz said AirAsia hoped the airport would be completed on time to accommodate its expansion plan.
“We can’t just take the delivery of the new aircrafts with no place to park,” he said.
AirAsia also hopes the commercial terms are agreed and accepted as soon as possible, he said.
It is understood that the new LCCT will be built by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and work is expected to start this month, and scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2011.
August 5, 2009 at 7:06 AM
Tiger Airways Add Saturday Flights To Bangalore
- 25% increase in flights between Singapore and Bangalore (4 to 5 flights each week)
- Lowest lead-in fare of S$60 (airfare) plus S$100 (airport charges & taxes) with 17,500 seats on sale now
- Additional flight starts 25th October 2009
Low fare airline Tiger Airways will add an additional flight to Bangalore starting 25th October 2009, increasing flights to India’s third most populous city from four to five times a week.
TR652 departs Singapore at 2115 hrs on Saturdays and arrives in Bangalore at 2300 hrs. From Bangalore, TR653 departs at 2350 hrs and arrives in Singapore at 0630 hrs on Sunday.
Bangalore, a major economic hub labeled the ‘Silicon Valley’ of India, is located in the Deccan Plateau in Karnataka state. It is home to some of the most well-recognised colleges and research institutions in India, and hosts numerous heavy industries, software companies, aerospace, telecommunications, and defence organizations.
Rosalynn Tay, Managing Director of Tiger Airways Singapore said, “Tiger Airways is delighted that we are able to show further commitment to Bangalore. Just a year after our inaugural flight to Bangalore on June 1st 2008, we are already increasing frequency due to greater demand for low low fares. This is great inbound traffic for India and Singapore, and a welcome economic boost for both countries.”
Tiger Airways, Singapore’s largest low fare airline, flies to 31 cities in nine countries (Singapore, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Macau SAR, China, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia).
Tiger Airways currently has an additional 56 Airbus A320 aircraft on order. This will allow the airline to expand its network to bring more low fares to more passengers across the Asia-Pacific region.
August 5, 2009 at 9:46 AM
How is the above topic related to Trichy???
August 7, 2009 at 6:57 AM
AirAsia to defer taking delivery of 8 Airbus planes
By Jeeva Arulampalam
Published: 2009/08/07
AIRASIA Bhd (5099) says it will defer taking delivery of eight Airbus planes in 2010 to 2014 as the low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) in Sepang cannot accommodate its fleet expansion.
The airline told Bursa Malaysia yesterday that it had signed an amendment agreement with Airbus to revise the delivery dates for the A320s.
“AirAsia is scaling down delivery of aircraft in 2010, and possibly 2011, to optimise its fleet and avoid the costs associated with leaving idle or under-utilised aircraft due to infrastructure limitation (at the LCCT),” it said.
AirAsia had been scheduled to take delivery of one plane in January next year, two in February, two in March and three in December.
Now, it will take delivery of one plane each month from January to August 2014.
Under the amended agreement, AirAsia also has the right to revise delivery of another eight planes in 2011 to 2014 subject to notification no later than October 31 this year.
In 2005, AirAsia signed a purchase agreement with Airbus to buy 175 A320s, to be delivered from December 2005 to October 2014.
With the deferment, AirAsia will take delivery of 16 planes next year instead of 24.
If if decides to defer deliveries in 2011 as well, it will only take delivery of 15 planes instead of 23.
There are no penalties to the airline for the change in delivery dates.
August 19, 2009 at 1:36 AM
Air Asia launches Kuala Lumpur, Colombo flights.
Air Asia, the world’s best low-cost Airline launched its daily direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Colombo yesterday.
High Commissioner of Malaysia in Sri Lanka Rosli Ismail told a gathering at the Hilton Colombo yesterday that the commencement of daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Sri Lanka was a timely decision as Sri Lanka has entered a new era having successfully ended the war on terrorism.
He said that with the greater connectivity from Air Asia around the world in which Malaysia is one of the low cost carrier hubs, it would play a greater role in boosting the tourism industry in Sri Lanka.
Malaysia will encourage more companies to invest in Sri Lanka and will participate in the economic development specially in areas where Malaysia has the know-how and expertise such as infrastructure development, telecommunications, oil and gas industry. Malaysia will strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, he said.
The High Commissioner said the number of Sri Lankan tourists to Malaysia has increased significantly – nearly 35 percent over the past two years.
In 2008, 42,774 Sri Lankans visited Malaysia compared to 31,733 in 2007.
The number of Malaysian tourists to Sri Lanka too increased from 12,737 in 2007 to over 15,000 in 2008. He hoped that in the years to come the number of Malaysians visiting Sri Lanka will increase with the commencement of Air Asia’s daily flights from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur.
Group Chief Executive Officer AirAsia Tony Fernandes said that the airline has sold nearly 30,000 seats during the past two months and it is a clear testament that Air Asia’s low fares have empowered people to fly.