AirAsia Philippines on Friday reported carrying over 50 percent more passengers in 2023 due to strong demand for air travel.
The Philippine unit of Southeast Asia’s largest budget carrier ferried a total 6.6 million passengers last year, up 57 percent from only 4.2 million passengers flown in 2022.
The budget carrier’s load factor averaged 91 percent or 2 percent higher than in 2022.
The airline’s fourth-quarter number last year contributed 25 percent to the overall performance of the airline with 1.6 million passengers carried, translating to an 88 percent load factor.
“Our success and growth in passenger capacity reflects the strong demand for air travel. Other factors seen to have contributed to our increased capacity include stable jet fuel prices, and our monthly double digit sales which are anchored to providing the best deals to our guests,” Ricky Isla, AirAsiA Philippines chief executive officer, said.
“This 2024, we will continue to strengthen our domestic presence while leveraging on our strong route network across Asean and beyond,” he added.
AirAsia Philippine said various festivities slated towards the second quarter of the year as well as the summer season now dictate the booking preferences of guests.
As early as 25 January, AirAsia Philippines experienced an increase in forward bookings for March, April, and May with more than 300,000 seats already sold for top domestic destinations such as Boracay, Bohol, Puerto Princesa, and Cebu asm well as international destinations like Taipei, Narita, Tokyo, and Incheon.
“The full return of our pre pandemic fleet this 2024 is seen to optimize flight frequency, re-activate previously shelved destinations, and open more international routes that will satisfy the travel needs of our guests,”Isla said.
He earlier said AirAsia Philippines plans to reactivate its entire fleet in the third quarter this year as it reopens more domestic and international routes
It looked to fly more foreign guests from other ASEAN countries, especially with the scheduled merger of AirAsia X and AirAsia Philippines (and other AirAsia areas of operation).
Seen to materialize in the months to come, the plan is expected to consolidate all medium and long-haul flights, create more opportunities for foreign travelers to explore the country and connect the Philippines with nearby destinations.
AirAsia Philippines flies to a total of 13 domestic destinations and 13 international destinations as of July 2023.
