KUALA LUMPUR, 27 February 2025: Preliminary January 2025 traffic figures released Wednesday by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed that international passenger markets enjoyed a robust start to the year, driven by a surge in leisure travel during the Lunar New Year festive period.

The region’s carriers achieved a solid 19.9% year-on-year growth for the month, transporting 35.2 million international passengers. As measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), demand increased by 22.5%, surpassing the 17.4% year-on-year expansion in available seat capacity. Consequently, the average international passenger load factor rose by 3.5 percentage points to 83.7% in January.

Despite growing uncertainties in the broader trade environment, air cargo markets also sustained growth in the new year. Higher demand for consumer goods in anticipation of the festive season resulted in a 4.7% year-on-year increase in international air cargo demand as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), adding to the double-digit growth recorded in January 2024. Expansion in belly-hold space drove a 10.9% increase in offered freight capacity year-on-year. The average international freight load factor dipped 3.3 percentage points to 55.2% for the month.

AAPA Director General Subhas Menon commented on the results: “The year began on a positive note for Asia Pacific carriers, with both international air passenger and cargo markets posting encouraging growth, underpinned by the timing of the Lunar New Year holidays.”

Menon added, “The relatively high load factors reflect strong demand but also ongoing capacity constraints, compounded by the grounding of aircraft due to engine issues and delays in aircraft deliveries. These challenges have contributed to increased expenditure on maintenance, aircraft leasing, and labour, while greater competition saw lower yields and operating margins.”

He concluded: “Growth prospects remain promising in the coming months, against a backdrop of steady expansion in global economic activity. However, ongoing geopolitical and trade tensions pose potential risks to both business sentiment and consumer demand in the months ahead. The region’s airlines are closely monitoring developments whilst carefully managing costs to boost operating economics.”

SEPANG, 26 February 2025: AirAsia X reinforces its commitment to transparency and accountability by introducing internal targets as part of its financial disclosures. 

The initiative should clarify the company’s financial performance better, aligning with Bursa Malaysia’s regulatory framework to support informed decision-making among investors and stakeholders.

The introduction of internal targets reflects AAX’s drive to elevate corporate governance standards by providing clear guidance to the investment community on its financial performance and value-creation strengths. The company aims to facilitate a more accurate assessment of its market position and growth potential by enhancing visibility into revenue, EBITDA, and other key financial metrics.

Under the new structure, AAX’s consolidated financial guidance will outline revenue performance, EBITDA, and non-margin metrics. 

AirAsia X Chairman Dato Fam Lee Ee said: “Setting clear financial targets is a critical step in ensuring transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth. Given the scale of our multi-country operations, these targets will serve as our true north, keeping us focused on creating long-term value for our shareholders and broader stakeholders.”

AAX will share internal targets alongside each quarterly financial report, starting with its Q42024 and Full Year 2024 Financial Results disclosure. 

However, the airline emphasised that the internal targets were solely management aspirations and did not constitute financial estimates, forecasts, or projections under Bursa Malaysia’s financial forecasting and disclosure standards.

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 February 2025: Malaysia Aviation Group and the Singapore Tourism Board have renewed their strategic partnership to drive travel demand from Malaysia to Singapore. 

The partnership involves joint marketing initiatives and offerings to strengthen Singapore’s appeal as a top destination for Malaysian travellers while driving tourism spending and footfall to key attractions.

MAG and STB will launch destination marketing campaigns featuring Malaysia Airlines and Firefly crew experiencing Singapore’s iconic attractions, including Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer, Resorts World Sentosa’s S.E.A. Aquarium and Universal Studios Singapore, Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s Parks, and the Museum of Ice Cream.

To celebrate the third year of this partnership, both organisations will introduce enhanced travel benefits for MAG customers, including boarding pass privileges in Singapore. These initiatives are strategically timed to capitalise on peak travel periods, including year-end holidays, school breaks, and festive seasons, ensuring greater accessibility and value for travellers. This also follows Firefly’s expansion of its Subang jet operations, with direct flights to Changi International Airport (SIN) starting 25 March 2025, providing more travel options for business and leisure travellers.

MAG Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines Dersenish Aresandiran said: “We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board to further position Singapore as a pivotal destination within the MAG network. In this next phase, we are excited to showcase Singapore’s vibrant attractions while delivering enhanced value to our customers with tailored products and exclusive promotions”.

“STB is pleased to deepen our collaboration with MAG, our trusted airline partner, to offer differentiated promotions in Singapore. We look forward to having more visitors from Malaysia book their travel to Singapore soon, where they can explore unique experiences and discover the value our vibrant city offers,” said  STB  Executive Director of Southeast Asia, Terrence Voon.