Low-cost long-haul carrier AirAsia X saw first quarter passenger numbers jump by a third to 1.4 million over the same period last year.
The increase in carryings outstripped the 28% increase in capacity offered by the Malaysian-based carrier in the January to March quarter.
The airline, which operates a fleet of 30 Airbus A330s, said: “The healthy growth of passengers carried was attributed to the strong demand for travel observed across all segments.”
The passenger load factor rose by two percentage points to 84%.
The airline added capacity on a Kuala Lumpur service to the Iranian capital of Tehran and added Wuhan in China to its network in the period.
However, a Bangkok to Muscat route was terminated and the airline’s Indonesian arm remains temporarily suspended as part of a network restructuring aimed at improving operational efficiencies, according to the group.
The airline said: “Moving forward in 2017, the group remains prudent in its expansion plan, continues to explore strategic initiatives to ensure sustainable growth and strengthen our position in core markets where we can build up our market leadership position.”