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AirAsia sets sights on opening new domestic routes this year
Private airline AirAsia is now eyeing the possibility of opening more routes in 2019.
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An AirAsia aircraft taxis at an airport in this file photo. Private airline AirAsia is now eyeing the possibility of opening more routes in 2019. (Shutterstock/Jeerapan Jankaew)
After announcing the addition of five new domestic routes recently, private airline Indonesia AirAsia is now eyeing the possibility of opening more routes this year.
CEO Dendy Kurniawan said the low budget carrier was now in the process of expanding its fleet by four to add to the current 25 Airbus aircraft it operates. More planes would mean more domestic routes.
"We always look for the right opportunity [to open new routes]. The government is now encouraging us to develop the low-cost carrier, so we are doing so. Thus recently we launched five new domestic routes and later, when our new aircraft arrives, we will launch other new routes," Dendy told the press.
Previously, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan encouraged AirAsia to add more domestic routes to bolster the competitiveness of the country's aviation industry and give more options to passengers.
Earlier this week, Indonesia AirAsia announced the expansion of five new domestic routes, namely Jakarta-Lombok (11 flights per week), Bali-Lombok (seven flights per week), Bali-Labuan Bajo (seven flights per week), Kulon Progo-Lombok route (three flights per week) and Surabaya-Kertajati (three flights per week).
The five routes begin operating Aug. 1.
