AirAsia X says to start Middle East route in November

Colombo, SRI LANKA : Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes gives a press conference in Colombo on August 18, 2009. AirAsia added Colombo to its growing network with a daily frequency from Kuala Lumpur. Fernandes said the airline has sold 30,000 seats out of Colombo since the launch and is fully booked till next April. AirAsia plans to increase the frequency to five flights a day in the coming months, routing passengers from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. AFP PHOTO/Ishara S. KODIKARA.

August 20, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Long-haul budget airline AirAsia X will launch five weekly flights to Abu Dhabi in November, marking its first foray into the oil-rich Middle East region, a top official said Wednesday.

AirAsia X's chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani said the inaugural flight will be on November 23, to coincide the peak travel period for Muslims, and described Abu Dhabi as a "lucrative market."

"We picked Abu Dhabi because it is a popular tourists destination and has lots of connectivity to other Middle East countries," he told AFP.

Azran said the current economic slowdown would not deter the airline from expanding its routes.

Colombo, SRI LANKA : Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes (R) chats to the companys air hostesses during a press conference in Colombo on August 18, 2009. AirAsia added Colombo to its growing network with a daily frequency from Kuala Lumpur. Fernandes said the airline has sold 30,000 seats out of Colombo since the launch and is fully booked till next April. AirAsia plans to increase the frequency to five flights a day in the coming months, routing passengers from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. AFP PHOTO/Ishara S. KODIKARA.

"(The) economic slump means we have to work harder. We are able to survive and withstand the crisis without losing money due to our low cost base," he said.

Azran said the carrier was offering a promotional fare of 99 ringgit (28 dollars) for one-way for travel, which will be available online from August 20.

AirAsia X currently flies to seven destinations. It operates five planes, a combination of Airbus A330s and A340s, with three more medium-range A330s due for delivery this year, three in 2010 and six in 2011.

An affiliate of regional low-cost carrier AirAsia and Virgin Group, AirAsia X was launched in January 2007. AirAsia and AirAsia X have common shareholders, including AirAsia founder and CEO Tony Fernandes.