AirAsia X

Infobox_Airline
airline=AirAsia X
logo=Aax.pnglogo_size=300
fleet_size= 1 (+25 orders)
destinations= 3
IATA=D7
ICAO=XAX
callsign=XANADU
parent=
founded=2007
headquarters=Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
key_people=Tony Fernandes, Sir Richard Branson, Azran Osman Rani
hubs=Kuala Lumpur International Airport
frequent_flyer=
company_slogan=Now Everyone Can Fly Xtra Long
lounge=
alliance=
website= http://www.airasia.com

AirAsia X, is a new long haul budget airline operated by AirAsia X Sdn. Bhd. (previously known as FlyAsianXpress Sdn. Bhd.) [ [http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_87fa6267-cb73c03a-6798eb00-6d57f36b AirAsia gets FIC nod for RCPS subscription] ] . Its first service commenced on November 2 2007 to Gold Coast, Australia from its base Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

AirAsia X franchises the brand name of AirAsia, Asia's largest low cost carrier, which uses a common ticketing website, livery, uniforms, and management style with AirAsia.cite news|work=The Star|date=2007-01-06|title=X-citing deal for air travellers|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/1/6/nation/16493788&sec=nationThe Airline will be operating "incredibly" cheap prices to and from Asia to the East Coast of Australia]

AirAsia X is also affiliated with Virgin Group, which assists in management, expertise, and infrastructure. [cite news|work=smh.com|title=AirAsia X en route|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/xchange/primary-must-be-keen-to-stay-in/2007/09/18/1189881511562.html?page=2|date=2007-09-18]

History

On May 17, 2007, Tony Fernandes announced plans to commence flights from Malaysia to Australia. Fernandes has said he will be avoiding Sydney Airport due to its high fees, instead concentrating on cheaper alternatives such as Melbourne's Avalon Airport, Newcastle and Adelaide. Sustained fares were predicted to be around MYR 800 (AUD 285) return plus taxes.cite news|work=Sydney Morning Herald|title=Cut-price airlines landing like flies|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/cutprice-airlines-landing-like-flies/2007/05/17/1178995366002.html|date=2007-05-18] Interest was also expressed of Gold Coast as another Australian destination.cite news|title=Jetstar terminates Melbourne-Hawaii route|url=http://www.etravelblackboard.com/index.asp?id=67743&nav=2|date=2007-08-08]

Several major developments were announced on 10 August 2007. AirAsia X announced its first route from Kuala Lumpur to the Gold Coast. One way fares for this route have been touted to begin at MYR 50 (AUD 17) excluding taxes and charges, with average return prices to be approximately MYR 1,800 (AUD 598), inclusive of taxes and charges.cite news|title=Fly from Australia to Malaysia for $A31|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/WORLD/Fly-from-Australia-to-Malaysia-for-A31/2007/08/10/1186530606476.html]

The airline also announced that Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group will take a 20% share in the airline to help kick-start its long haul operations and to finance aircraft purchases. cite news|work=News Limited|title=AirAsia to fly to Victoria, Queensland|url=http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,22222403-31037,00.html|date=2007-08-10] cite news|work=The Age|title=Branson to take 20 per cent stake in AirAsia|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/branson-to-take-20-per-cent-stake-in-airasia/2007/08/07/1186252685416.html|date=2007-08-07] Branson also forecast a strong possibility of formal links between Virgin Blue and AirAsia X in the future, such as codesharing and frequent flyer programme. [cite news|work=The Geelong Advertiser|url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/08/11/6061_news.html|title=Billionaire Branson and AirAsia X move into Avalon|author=Daniel Breen] [cite news|work=Herald Sun|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22223960-5005961,00.html|title=Aussies offered $31 flights to Malaysia]

The first AirAsia X aircraft, arrived at KL International Airport, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the 15 September 2007, is named "Semangat Sir Freddie" (English: "Spirit of Sir Freddie") after the pioneer and founder of the low cost model, the late Sir Freddie Laker of Skytrain in Europe. [ [http://www.airasia.com/site/en/pressRelease.jsp?id=4ecbd7df-ac1e00ae-1ad0d890-818ad7e7 Welcome to AirAsia.com...now everyone can fly ] ]

Current CEO of AirAsia X is Azran Osman Rani.

FlyAsianXpress

FlyAsianXpress (FAX) was an airline based in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. It operated services on some of the smaller routes dropped by national carrier Malaysia Airlines. Its routes has been taken over by MASwings as FAX concentrates on AirAsia X.

FAX was privately owned by Kamarudin Meranun, Raja Razali,Raja Azmi and Tony Fernandes. The airline was subcontracted by AirAsia to operate several domestic services following the withdrawal of Malaysia Airlines from Rural Air Service routes within East Malaysia. Its maiden flight was on August 1 2006, despite being delayed for 50 minutes by bad weather [cite news|work=Daily Express|title=A smooth debut for FAX|date=2006-08-02|location=Kota Kinabalu|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=43531] . FAX was not a low cost carrier [cite news|work=FlyAsianXpress.com|title=About FAX, FAX Told|url=http://www.flyasianxpress.com/site/en/fax/page.jsp?reference=faxabout] but it incorporated some of AirAsia’s practices in order to reduce cost namely, internet and phone booking, as well as ticketless check-in system.

Within days of operation it was subject to a flood of criticisms from commuters, civil servants, and people working in the tourism industry, with critics arguing that the new turboprop service provided by FAX should not be more expensive than the Rural Air Service previously operated by Malaysia Airlines, given that FAX is subsidised by the Malaysian government. As well as this, poor services such as sudden flight cancellation without notice has also frustrated passengers [cite news|work=Borneo Bulletin|date=2006-08-11|title=Commuters express disappointment over rural air services offered by FAX|url=http://www.cuti.com.my/news.php?op=show_article&aid=1234] . The CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board also stated that disruptions to cargo supply flights to the interior caused tourists to [ [http://www.ebario.com Bario] ] take their own food rations, rather than rely upon the air cargo supplies of food and fuel [cite news|work=Bernama|date=2006-08-25|title=Be Sensitive To Rural People's Needs, FAX Told|url=http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=216171] .Recently FAX has released a new flight timetable citing the sudden need for heavy maintenance on its Fokker 50 fleet as the trigger for severe disruptions to its schedules.

On April 11, 2007, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia, the parent company of FAX, Tony Fernandes disclosed the offer to the public on the hand over of FAX's rural routes to Firefly, the subsidiary airline of Malaysia Airlines. He described it as "the logical thing to do" as Firefly can be the only national company operating turbo-prop aircraft. [ [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/4/12/nation/17416867&sec=nation FAX: Let Firefly take over] ] On April 26, 2007, the government has announced for Malaysia Airlines to take over the operation of rural air services from FAX and gave assurance that any loss will be bore by government. [ [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/4/26/nation/17551341&sec=nation Rural services back to MAS] ] Malaysia Airlines announced to take over FlyAsianXpress destinations beginning 1 August, 2007 through a new subsidiary, MASwings.

FlyAsianXpress and AirAsia X

With FlyAsianXpress rural air services replaced with MASwings, the corporate name is changed from FlyAsianXpress Sdn. Bhd. to AirAsia X Sdn. Bhd. [ [http://www.bruneitimes.com.bn/details.php?shape_ID=39875 The Brunei Times ] ]

hareholders

The entrance of two new major investors has given the company more financial aids for the expansion plan.

As of February 14, 2008, AirAsia X is 48%-owned by Aero Ventures (a venture of Tony Fernandes and several of his business associates), followed by 16% Virgin Group and 16%-owned by AirAsia. Bahrain-based Manara Consortium and Japan-based Orix Corp have taken a total 20 percent stake in long haul low-cost carrier AirAsia X Sdn Bhd for RM250 million. [cite news|title=AirAsia X Chooses Manara & Orix As New Investors|date=2008-02-14|url=http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=313785]

Destinations

AirAsia X announced Gold Coast, Australia as its first destination.cite news|work=The Age|title=AFly-from-Australia-to-Malaysia-for-A31|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Fly-from-Australia-to-Malaysia-for-A31/2007/08/10/1186530606476.html|date=2007-08-10] On 29 September 2007, AirAsia X unveiled the Gold Coast as its first long haul international destination. The airline commenced four direct return flights per week between Gold Coast Airport and Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT), Kuala Lumpur beginning on 2 November 2007. The inaugural flight carried a total of approximately 300 guests, in the 312-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft (276 economy seats and 36 premium XL seats), which arrived in September 2007. One-way fares were as low as RM50 excluding fees, RM342 including fees.

AirAsia X's second Australian destination is Perth International Airport. Flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport will begin on 2 November 2008 with an introductory fare of $99 to cover taxes and fuel surcharge. AirAsia X will launch flights six times a week from both cities.cite news|work=The Age|title=New Airline to offer $99 Tickets to Malaysia|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/new-airline-to-offer-99-tickets-to-malaysia/2008/05/15/1210765021960.html|date=2008-05-15] This route is expected to bring 40,000 international visitors to WA in the first year. cite news|work=The West Australian|title=Low Cost Airline Makes WA Deal|url=http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=73237|date=2008-05-15]

AirAsia also announced on 11 May 2008 that it had signed a lease agreement with an unmentioned company for an Airbus A340, to be used on flights from Kuala Lumpur to London. It will receive the A340 in January 2009, and after replacing interiors, will begin the services in March 2009. [4]

AirAsia also announced on July 29, 2008 that despite recent record oil prices, it hopes to commence operations to London Stansted airport in March 2009, and will definitely commence by June 2009 [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2469038/Air-Asia-X-to-launch-UK-Malaysia-flights.html] ] . Air Asia X is targeting $1000 AU return fares between Australia and the UK (including taxes and charges).cite news|work=Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation|title=AUD1,000 return flights between Australia and UK - AirAsia X plans Gold Coast-Kuala Lumpur-London|url=http://www.centreforaviation.com/aviation/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3431|date=2008-03-27]

On 20 August, the airline announced flights between Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Kuala Lumpur commencing 12 November with $199 one-way fares [cite news|work=The Age|title=AirAsia X to take-off in Melbourne|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/08/20/1218911779554.html|date=2008-08-20] following the airline's inability to use Avalon Airport.

AirAsia X has also secured rights to land in China, Korea and West Asia. [cite news|title=Virgin Group Takes 20 Pct Stake In AirAsia X|work=Bernama|url=http://bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=278631]

It is planned that future expansion of the airline will include destinations in India, the Middle East and Europe.cite news|work=Luchtzak.be|title=AirAsia X to order up to 15 A330-300|url=http://www.luchtzak.be/article14078.html|date=2007-04-24] The Malaysian government has reportedly given AirAsia X rights to 36 international destinations.cite news|work=Luchtzak.be|title=Air Asia granted rights to 36 destinations|url=http://www.luchtzak.be/article13401.html|date=2007-01-12]

In July 2008, Air Asia X admitted it is likely to drop plans to fly to Japan in the near future as a result of difficult visa restrictions placed on Malaysians entering Japan. [cite news|work=Economic Times|title=Visa rule could scupper AirAsia X flights to Japan|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Travel/Visa_rule_could_scupper_AirAsia_X_flights_to_Japan/rssarticleshow/3286738.cms]

East Asia

*People's Republic of China
** Hangzhou (Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport) [AirAsia website]
** Tianjin (Tianjin Binhai International Airport) [begins early 2009]

outheast Asia

* Malaysia
** Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) - Main Base

Oceania

* Australia
**Gold Coast (Gold Coast Airport)
**Melbourne (Melbourne Airport) [begins November 12, 2008]
** Perth (Perth Airport) [begins November 2, 2008]

Future destinations

*India
**Amritsar (Raja Sansi International Airport)Fact|date=September 2008
*Japan [http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/82616?tid=1] [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/20/nation/2080890&sec=nation]
**Nagoya (Chūbu Centrair International Airport)
**Osaka (Kansai International Airport)
**Sapporo (New Chitose Airport)
**Tokyo (Haneda International Airport)
*Bahrain
*United Arab Emirates
**Dubai (Dubai International Airport)
**Sharjah (Sharjah International Airport)
*South Korea
**Cheongju (Cheongju Airport)
**Seoul (Incheon International Airport)
*Russia
**Moscow
*England
**Manchester (Manchester Airport)
**London (London Stansted Airport) Begins March 2009 with Airbus A340-300
*Australia
**Adelaide (Adelaide Airport)
**Newcastle (Newcastle Airport)Fact|date=May 2008
*Czech Republic
**Prague (Ruzyně International Airport)

Fleet

The AirAsia X fleet consists of the following aircraft as of March 2008:

On 14 May 2007, AirAsia confirmed that it had ordered 15 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, 5 more than originally announced. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery from the fourth quarter of 2008. [ AirAsia confirms 15 Airbus A330-300 deal [http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=49869] ] On 27 March 2008, AirAsia signed a firm contract for another 10 Airbus A330-300s bringing the airline's total order to 25. [ AirAsia X Orders 10 Additional Airbus A330 Aircraft [http://www.eads.com/1024/en/pressdb/pressdb/20080327_airbus_a330_airasiax.html] ]

AirAsia also announced on May 11, 2008 that it had signed a lease agreement with ILFC for an Airbus A340, to be used on flights from Kuala Lumpur to London. It will receive the A340 in January 2009, and after replacing interiors, will begin the services in March 2009. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/11/nation/21213476&sec=nation]

References

External links

* [http://www.airasiax.com AirAsia X information page]
* [http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/AirAsia-X AirAsia X fleet detail]
* [http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Fly%20Asian%20Xpress.htm AirAsia X fleet age]