AirAsia PH passenger volume up 57% in 2023

AIRASIA Philippines saw a significant increase in passenger volume last year of 57 percent to 6.6 million passengers, from 4.2 million in 2022, following strong consumer demand.

“Our success and growth in passenger capacity reflects the strong demand for air travel,” Air Asia Philippines Chief Executive Ricky Isla said.

“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,” he added.

“This 2024, we will continue to strengthen our domestic presence while leveraging on our strong route network across Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and beyond.”

The airline’s load factor stood at 91 percent, 2 percent up from 2022.

In the fourth quarter alone, AirAsia carried 1.6 million passengers for an 88-percent load factor.

Various festivities scheduled for the second quarter of this year, and the summer season were said to have positively affected booking preferences.

The airline said it experienced an increase in 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; and international destinations Taipei, Narita, Tokyo and Incheon.

“The full return of our prepandemic fleet this 2024 is seen to optimize flight frequency, reactivate previously shelved destinations and open more international routes that will satisfy the travel needs of our guests,” Isla said.