PETALING JAYA: Capital A Bhd’s consolidated air operator’s certificates recorded a healthy load factor of 76% and capacity of 4.9 million passengers carried in the first quarter of 2022.

       In a statement yesterday, Capital A (formerly AirAsia Group Bhd) said the number of passengers carried increased by 284% to 3.7 million year-on-year (y-o-y) in the first quarter of 2022, leading to a nine percentage points improvement in load factor.

       “The group introduced additional capacity of 238% y-o-y to support the surge in demand, alongside relaxed travel restrictions across the group.

       “As a result, available seat kilometres (ASK) soared by 223% and revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) jumped by 264% y-o-y, primarily attributable to the strong domestic travel rebound and the gradual further easing of travel restrictions in the first quarter.

       ”For AirAsia Malaysia, Capital A said the number of passengers carried and the capacity improvement jumped 464% and 455% respectively, compared with the same quarter in the previous year.

       “In the first quarter of 2022, the load factor increased by one percentage point y-o-y to 74%. ASK jumped 475% and RPK surged 476% y-o-y.”

       Commenting on the performances of its regional operations, Capital A said AirAsia Indonesia achieved an improved load factor of 76% in the first quarter of 2022, surging 20 percentage points y-o-y.

       “AirAsia Philippines has continued to record the group’s highest quarterly load factor at 86%, which rose by 12 percentage points y-o-y and uninterrupted by the steep rise of the Omicron variant cases in the Philippines during the quarter.”