AirAsia lowers passenger volume target over delayed permit release

Budget airline AirAsia Inc. has lowered its 2012 projected passenger volume target by 30 percent due to the delayed release of its permit to operate by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

 

AirAsia chief executive officer Maan Hontiveros said in an interview with reporters during the roll out of its “Piso Fare Promo” that it is now looking at servicing 600,000 passengers rather than the original target of 857,000 on the first year of its operations.

 

Hontiveros pointed out that the airline’s air operating certificate (AOC) was released only last March instead of the projected date of December.

 

She explained that the delay caused the airline to miss out on important occasions like Christmas, New Year, the Chinese New Year, and Valentine’s Day.

 

However, Hontiveros said the airline is still upbeat. She believes that the lowered target would still be achieved this year, especially with the introduction of various promos like the “Zero seat sale” and the “Piso Fare.” 

  

Furthermore, AirAsia is also addressing other concerns including accessibility to Clark International Airport in Pampanga, the fare charged by bus companies to take passengers to Clark from Metro Manila, and the lack of information about airlines operating at Clark.

 

Hontiveros said bus companies are now charging P400 from SM Megamall in Ortigas and P450 from Pasay City to Clark.

 

The airline currently operates two A320’s servicing three domestic destinations and three regional destinations. It is awaiting the delivery of its third A320 in November and its fourth A320 in December.

  

AirAsia is a 60-40 joint venture between Filipino investors Antonio Cojuangco, Michael Romero, and Hontiveros and Malaysia’s AirAsia International Ltd. It started servicing daily flights in March 28. — DVM, GMA News