AirAsia X eyes Clark as long-haul hub

MANILA, Philippines – Clark is still in the mind of regional low cost carrier AirAsia Malaysia Berhad.

Michael Romero, chairman of AirAsia Zest, the recently sealed joint venture between the Malaysian giant’s local unit and another local budget carrier, said Clark International Airport is being considered as the local hub for AirAsia X, the parent company’s long-haul brand.

AirAsia X is being convinced to operate out of the former US military naval base in Pampanga, Romero told reporters in a Manila port event on Wednesday, October 9.

“For now our plan is to put the AirAsia X, which is the long haul, [in Clark]. But that would take about a year or two. We are trying to convince AirAsia X to locate in Clark,” Romero stressed.

The decision to start long haul operations at Clark, about 100 kilometers from capital Manila, came about after Emirates and Qatar Airways mounted direct flights from Clark to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in October.

“Clark is being converted into long haul with the entry of Emirates and Qatar Airways,” he said.

Romero, who is vice chairman of AirAsia Philippines, pointed out that AirAsia Zest would pool traffic from Manila from short-haul flights and transfer them to Clark for AirAsia X that could fly to Australia, Europe, and even the US.

From Clark to Manila

AirAsia Zest, the new brand of the combined two local airlines — AirAsia Philippines and Zest Air — transferred AirAsia’s local operations from Clark to the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), currently the country’s main gateway.

The rebranded AirAsia Zest is scheduled to be launched on Oct. 26.

Romero said existing shareholders of AirAsia Philippines and Zest Air are infusing close to $100 million to bankroll the operations as well as the refleeting program of the combined airline. (READ: Yao group gets $16-M from AirAsia-Zest Air deal)

“The whole group is pumping in $100 million. Right now we have 13 aircraft and we will go to 16 planes by the end of the year,” he said.

AirAsia X

AirAsia X was established in 2007 to provide high-frequency and point-to-point networks to the long-haul business.

AirAsia X’s cost efficiencies are derived from maintaining a simple aircraft fleet and a route network based on low-cost airports, without complex code-sharing and other legacy overheads that weigh down traditional airlines without compromising on safety. – Rappler.com