Thai AirAsia X critical to "multi-hub" strategy

by ORIENT AVIATION 

November 1st 2013

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Thailand’s aviation authorities have issued an air operator’s licence to the medium to long-haul, low-cost carrier, Thai AirAsia X, which plans to begin flying with two A320s in early 2014. Read More »

Shareholders in the airline are parent airline, AirAsia X (49%) and Thai investors Tassapon Bijleveld (41%) and Julpas Kruesopon (10%). The joint airline is the first of several partnerships being set up by Kuala Lumpur-headquartered AirAsia X. The Thai affiliate will be based at Bangkok’s second airport, Don Muang, which is also used by AirAsia X partner, AirAsia. It is expected to launch destinations to one city in Australia and at least two in North Asia, regions where AirAsia X has built brand recognition. AirAsia X CEO, Azran Osman-Rani, said at the press conference to announce launch plans: “Thai AirAsia X will capitalize on our collaboration with Thai AirAsia, the largest short-haul, low-cost carrier in Thailand. Operating for 10 years, Thai AirAsia has built a strong domestic and international short-haul network that can provide feeder traffic to Thai AirAsia X. This new affiliate in Thailand is the beginning of AirAsia X’s strategic, multi-hub plan, in line with the expansion of the AirAsia Group. The combination of multiple hubs and having both short-haul and long-haul networks is a strategic advantage over competitors. The Thai hub also gives AirAsia X an additional growth pattern beyond its current base in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.