By AirAsia and AirAsia X are expanding and resuming domestic flights, as well as operating from their virtual base in Taipei.
When the pandemic lockdowns continued in Asia long after the rest of the world’s aviation had resumed, it appeared that the region’s airlines would take years to recover. However, once China rejoined the competition and other key Northeast Asian countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea followed suit, the landscape transformed virtually suddenly.
With restrictions swiftly vanishing from aviation history, Asian airlines are quickly rebuilding their networks, and with extraordinarily high passenger load factors, their financial sheets are looking much better than they have in years. Under Tony Fernandes’ leadership, AirAsia has never been one to sit back and wait for things to happen, and the group’s airlines have begun 2024 with a slew of new and restarted international and domestic services, as well as the introduction of their newest airline, AirAsia Cambodia.
More Fifth Freedom Routes in Asia
What is Fifth Freedom
The Fifth Freedom in aviation refers to the right of an airline from one country to carry passengers or cargo between two foreign countries as part of a service connecting the airline’s home country. This right is typically granted in bilateral air services agreements between countries. Essentially, it allows an airline to operate flights between two countries other than its own, provided that the flight originates or ends in the airline’s home country.
For example, if an airline based in Country A has the Fifth Freedom rights between Country B and Country C, it can operate a flight from Country A to Country B, then continue from Country B to Country C, and vice versa, without necessarily stopping in Country A. This right enables airlines to optimize their route networks, expand their market reach, and increase passenger options.
In the spirit of finding a solution, AirAsia is deliberately expanding its operations in Northeast Asia by leveraging fifth-freedom flying rights. The firm plans to use such rights to open three additional routes connecting Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, to Japan.
The latest offerings will be managed by both AirAsia X and Thai AirAsia, utilizing a mix of widebody Airbus A330s and narrowbody A320s, contingent upon the specific route. AirAsia highlighted that the introduction of these fifth-freedom routes corresponds with the airline’s emphasis on Taiwan as a pivotal hub, facilitating connections for passengers to a broader array of destinations spanning Southeast Asia and the Northeast Asian region, leveraging its extensive network encompassing 130 destinations.
Starting from May 31, 2024, AirAsia X (AAX) is set to inaugurate a fresh route linking Taipei to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT). Concurrently, Thai AirAsia will introduce a route from the virtual hub in Taipei to Okinawa Naha Airport (OKA) on June 15, 2024, followed by another route from Kaohsiung International (KHH) to Tokyo Narita on June 16, 2024. AAX will deploy its A330 Family aircraft for the Taipei to Tokyo Narita route, offering a maximum of 377 seats, including 12 Premium Flatbed seats. On the other hand, Thai AirAsia’s A320s will accommodate 180 seats, featuring 42 Hot Seats located at the front of the aircraft or in the emergency exit rows, providing extended legroom.
AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said the Taipei to Tokyo route was the first fifth-freedom launch this year and that Japan has always been the top destination for AAX and highlights the remarkable recovery at AAX. He added:
Additionally, our guests between Taipei and Japan can enjoy an enhanced travel experience with our award-winning Premium Flatbed onboard. We believe that the launch of this new route can boost tourism opportunities between Taipei and Japan, and we look forward to more route expansion in the future.
By: Benyamin Ismail
AirAsia commemorated the reinstatement of its services connecting Malaysian cities Penang, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu yesterday, showcasing the airline’s steadfast dedication to the East Malaysian market. Demonstrating promising prospects for the route’s continued success, the inaugural flight from Penang to Kuching boasted an 80% occupancy rate, marking its arrival at Kuching International Airport (KCH) in Sarawak with a ceremonial water cannon salute.
Bo Lingam is the CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group, and he said that as a homegrown airline, the route resumptions reflect the carrier’s commitment to expanding connectivity within Malaysia while at the same time boosting its East Malaysian hubs. Lingam added:
By reintroducing this route, we aim to cater to the increasing demand for travel between Penang and East Malaysia while further supporting economic growth and tourism development in the country. We look forward to welcoming more guests onboard as we continue to expand our domestic network in the future.
By: Bo Lingam.
The reestablished routes will offer daily service between Penang International Airport (PEN) and Kuching, as well as between Penang and Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), utilizing aircraft from the Airbus A320 family. Flight AK5433 will depart KCH at 11:50, reaching Penang at 13:50, then departing PEN as flight AK5432 at 14:15 and arriving in Kuching at 16:15. Meanwhile, Flight AK5323 will depart Kota Kinabalu at 08:00, landing in Penang at 10:40, followed by the return flight AK5322 departing PEN at 11:05 and arriving at BKI at 13:55.
