ISTANBUL: AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) aims to strengthen its global footprint by tapping into new markets, expanding its fleet, and exploring second-tier cities next year as international travel demand continues to climb.
Its CEO, Benyamin Ismail, said Istanbul, which ranked fourth among the world’s most visited cities, plays a strategic role in the airline’s network expansion plans.
“Our focus for the next two years is to expand into second-tier cities within the four- to five-hour range, where wide-body aircraft are not required. Central Asia remains a key market, with Europe next in line,” he told Bernama in a recent interview.
Benyamin said these two regions are “where we see strong future potential,” adding that the airline’s measured approach is designed to ensure sustainable growth.
As global aviation continues its steady recovery, Benyamin said AAX is well-positioned to capture emerging demand, strengthen east–west travel links, and grow responsibly across its network.
“With our network of 130 destinations, we believe we have a lot to offer. At the same time, connectivity into Asia from this region remains limited. Our presence here opens opportunities for travellers from Turkiye to explore Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asean and the wider Asia-Pacific,” he added.
On Nov 14, AAX made its inaugural flight to Istanbul, Turkiye, recording strong demand in both directions, with the outbound Kuala Lumpur flight operating at 81 per cent capacity and the return flight at nearly 89%.
Acknowledging the higher fuel consumption required for long-haul operations, Benyamin said cost management goes beyond fuel pricing, noting that it is not just fuel, but the entire operation. “In terms of ground handling, finding the right partners, airports, we give good commercial agreements. All play a part. But in terms of fuel, I think fuel prices are relatively similar anywhere, so even on longer routes, we remain confident in offering affordable fares,” Benyamin said.
Reflecting on the airline’s performance this year, he said AAX has surpassed its targets, driven by higher load factors and a strong rebound in passenger volume.
“We have exceeded last year’s results. Load factors have improved, and the number of passengers carried has also increased. Our growth strategy is measured not too aggressively to ensure we expand at the right pace,” he added. – Bernama
