Low-cost long-carrier AirAsia X plans sustainable growth against “challenging” conditions in 2017 following an operational turnaround last year.
The airline recorded a 40% year-on-year rise in passengers to 1.38 million in the final quarter of 2016.
The overall operating performance improved in the three months as a result of “successful turnaround initiatives implemented during the year,” the airline said.
“Operationally, 2016 has been a success turnaround story with various phases of turnaround initiative carried out positively during the year.
“Moving forward into 2017, AirAsia X remains cautious and anticipate a challenging environment, however, the management remains confident to ensure sustainable growth.”
The carrier runs a fleet of 22 Airbus A330s from Malaysia and Thailand but has temporarily suspended services from Indonesia.
Air Asia X this week received the green light to start flying to the US and is considering resuming flights to London.
Meanwhile, regional sister budget carrier AirAsia flew 56.59 passengers in 2016 with a load factor of 86%.
Carryings in the fourth quarter of the year were up by 7% to 14.51 million, ahead of a 5% increase in capacity across a fleet of 172 aircraft operating from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and India.