AirAsia Expands Domestic Network with 2,000 New Weekly Flights

AirAsia has announced a significant expansion of its domestic network in Malaysia, introducing 2,000 weekly flights and adding 150,000 seats across 40 key routes by the end of 2024. This initiative aims to meet the growing demand for year-end travel and to offer more options for both local and regional travelers.

Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, Managing Director of AirAsia Malaysia, stated, “As we expand our domestic operations with a total of 1.7 million seats available for booking by December 2024, we are not just catering to the travel needs of Malaysians—we are also inviting regional travelers to explore Malaysia’s unique destinations, cultural heartlands, and world-famous cuisines.”

Despite challenges such as aircraft shortages and supply chain disruptions, AirAsia is committed to managing these issues through careful planning and operational efficiency. Mazputra emphasized the airline’s dedication to ensuring reliable service recovery to minimize disruptions and guarantee the safety of its passengers.

As a result of this expansion, AirAsia’s market share is projected to increase to 64%, solidifying its position as a leading carrier in the region. To further enhance the customer experience, the airline is introducing AirAsia Plus, a new add-on service for flights to and from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB). This service includes 7kg of cabin baggage, 20kg of checked baggage, seat selection, in-flight meals or snacks, and Baggage and On-Time Guarantee (OTG) insurance.

In addition to domestic routes, Thai AirAsia X is launching seasonal charter flights to Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB) from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to capitalize on the year-end travel surge. The eight-hour direct flight will operate from December 2024 to February 2025.

Harbin, located in Heilongjiang province, is known as China’s “Ice City” and hosts the International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival from December to January. This festival is among the world’s largest ice celebrations, attracting tourists from around the globe.

The airline will operate the direct flights to Harbin using a 377-seater Airbus A330, which offers both standard and Premium Flatbed seats, ensuring a comfortable journey for travelers.

The expansion comes at a time when air passenger growth in Southeast Asia is on the rise. According to Boeing’s recently published commercial market outlook, air traffic growth in the region is expected to triple over the next 20 years. Boeing forecasts that passenger air traffic in Southeast Asia will grow by 7.2% annually until 2043, significantly outpacing the global average growth rate of 4.7%.

Key factors driving this growth include rising household incomes and above-average economic growth in the region. David Schulte, Managing Director of Boeing Commercial Marketing for Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, noted, “Southeast Asia’s growing fleet—especially single-aisle airplanes—will play a crucial role in connecting the region’s islands and meeting travel demand across the Asia-Pacific, particularly on routes to China and Northeast Asia.”

With these developments, AirAsia is well-positioned to strengthen its presence in the Southeast Asian aviation market, providing more options and connectivity for travelers.