AirAsia X to Build Multiple Hubs in Asia

AirAsia X

AirAsia X plans to build multiple hubs in Asia which would enable it to feed on shorthaul AirAsia's massive network, strengthen group presence and brand in Asia-Pacific and dominate intra-regional travel.

Azran Osman-Rani, CEO, AirAsia X, said: “We want to do multiple hubs within the next five years. We will follow the AirAsia model and create hubs in Bangkok, Jakarta, Denpasar and Tokyo – cities with AirAsia hubs.”

The carrier will increase its fleet size from 11 to 25 aircraft by next year. This year, it will take delivery of seven Airbus A330s from April and another seven A330s in 2014. 

The new aircraft would be used to increase frequencies on high load routes such as Kuala Lumpur to Sydney, Melbourne, Taipei and Seoul, and to fly to new cities, said Azran. 

Currently operating services to 14 destinations, AirAsia X is looking at new connections from Kuala Lumpur to Adelaide, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Busan, Xi’an, Chongqing and Wuhan.
Azran predicted these countries would dominate economic growth in the travel and tourism industry over the next five years.

At the same time, AirAsia X is taking steps to resolve technology issues with GDSs to enable travel consultants to book its seats and service offerings seamlessly, and not lose out on group and MICE bookings.