Interview with AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail on the Sydney Times
Interview conducted by Aksel Ritenis Editor-Sydney Times
AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail
1.) Good Morning Ben You must be looking forward to Sponsoring and officially starting the 2023 City Surf tommorrow,..
Why did AirAsia X sponsor the City2surf run?
-
Sydney has always been one of our core and most popular destinations in our network and we are proud to play a strong role making it affordable for international entrants to attend this year’s event hence why we are thrilled to add the City2Surf to our portfolio of sponsorship partners.
-
We have recently also sponsored the Gold Coast marathon and are looking to support the Auckland Marathon in October.
-
We are proud to bring a strong number of overseas participants to Sydney, providing a truly multicultural celebration of running for this year’s event.
AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail starting the 2023 City Surf
Pre Covid, AirAsia X was flying over 6 million passengers (FY2019) with a strong passenger load factor over 80%.
We obviously had to halt all operations during the height of the pandemic, however we’re gradually resuming normalcy and heading fast towards returning to pre covid levels in the not too distant future.
This year to the end of June alone, we’ve flown close to 150,000 guests from Kuala Lumpur to Australia and a similar number from Australia to Kuala Lumpur.
2.) Does AirAsia X have a business class option – what is your unique proposition?
We’ve always prided ourselves in being a quality-first low cost airline and our award-winning Premium Flatbeds are always a hit for our longer haul flights particularly with the AU market.
We are able to deliver lowest cost fares due to our low cost base which is perhaps the lowest in the industry so we can deliver exceptional service at low cost without compromising highest quality.
We see these as the best premium low cost seats in the sky, priced often less than economy on a full service airline. Depending on demand we have aircraft with either 12 or 18 premium flatbeds – these are very popular with the Australian market. Our beds allow you to lie flat at great value costs (under AUD300 on sale) with comfort blanket, pillow, usb charger and more as well as complimentary meal and water – other menu items available for purchase on our popular inflight menu at affordable cost.
3.)What are AirAsia X’s current ongoing promos?
Just last week, we launched a super sale with fares between NZ and Australia on sale with amazing discounts:
-
Perth to Jakarta. All-in one-way from AUD $149* Economy
-
Perth to Bali. All-in one-way from AUD $149* Economy
-
Perth to Kuala Lumpur. All-in one-way from AUD $219* Economy, Flatbed from AUD $669*
-
OOL to KUL All-in one-way from AUD $249* Economy, Flatbed from AUD $929*
-
MEL to KUL All-in one-way from AUD $299* Economy, Flatbed from AUD $1005*
-
SYD to KUL All-in one-way from AUD $299* Economy, Flatbed from AUD $1005*
-
Sydney to Bangkok. All-in one-way from AUD $299* Economy
-
Auckland to Kuala Lumpur. All-in one-way from NZD $459* (under NZD $500) Economy, Flatbed from NZD $1499*
-
Auckland to Sydney. All-in one-way from NZD $135* Economy, Flatbed from NZD $339*
As Asia’s low fare leader AAX has regular special sales to stimulate air travel .
*On Monday 14 August we will be launching a Flatbed promotion with incredible deals starting from under AUD300. (these prices realistically just cover the airport taxes and charges representing incredible value)
We are selling special promotions on economy fare class starting from 14 Aug for AU&NZ markets.
Sydney Times readers can find the lowest fares launching Monday as listed below.
MELBOURNE to Kuala Lumpur from AUD 269
PERTH to KL from AUD 189
Gold Coast to Kuala Lumpur from AUD 239
SYDNEY to Kuala Lumpur from AUD 269
AUckland to Sydney AUD 190 NZD 135
AKK to Kuala Lumpur from NZD 449
Along with flatbed promotion on sale from Monday 14th from below fares
Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur from AUD 799
Perth to Kuala Lumpur from AUD 599
Gold Coast to Kuala Lumpur from AUD 739
Sydney to Kuala Lumpur from AUD 799
Auckland to sydney from AUD 299 NZD 299
Auckland to Kuala Lumpur from NZD 1199
4.) What are AirAsia X’s expansion plans for the future?
We certainly have many plans for expansion in the pipeline. Post Covid our first priority was reinstating our most popular routes first, that we had to put on hold during the last few difficult years. Australia has always been one of our most popular destinations and it is why we have returned to Australia amongst the first markets post the pandemic.
AirAsia X has gone from recovery post Covid to growth mindset and will continue to invest in Australia.
We resumed flights to Sydney in Australia in September last year, and soon after added Melbourne and Perth routes to the mix as demand gradually picked up. We also started flights to Auckland, flying through Sydney since September last year, and returned to the Gold Coast as the only airline flying direct to/from Kuala Lumpur in April of this year.
5.)Just wondering How many guests a year does AirAsia X fly annually on average?
Pre Covid, AirAsia X was flying over 6 million passengers (FY2019) with a strong passenger load factor over 80%. We obviously had to halt all operations during the height of the pandemic, however we’re gradually resuming normalcy and heading fast towards returning to pre covid levels in the not too distant future. This year to the end of June alone, we’ve flown close to 150,000 guests from Kuala Lumpur to Australia and a similar number from Australia to Kuala Lumpur
6. How is business going post Covid ?
-
If there is a silver lining of the pandemic, it is that we were able to review every aspect of our operations during the downtime in flying to return to the skies better, stronger than ever. We now have a more robust platform for a successful and viable future.
-
AAX has recovered really well – we have been profitable and in the black for the past three consecutive quarters and our growth momentum continues. We have seen pleasing demand for medium haul travel, particularly over recent times, with plans to continue to grow in Australia and other core markets in line with demand and will continue to review new destinations we haven’t flown to before, where it makes commercial sense.
Thank You very much for the interview Ben and We wish you well with your upcoming promotions
