NZ Aviation Sector: Air Asia X could fly to Garden City
February 4th, 2010
Christchurch International airport (CIAL) appears to have stolen a march over Auckland International Airport by snaring a new air service which could link the city with Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian based cut price carrier AirAsia X is expected to announce it will soon start flying to Christchurch from Kuala Lumpur via Gold Coast following prolonged negotiations over 18 months between Christchurch International Airport and the airline. CIAL CEO Jim Boult is seeking to confirm with the airline it will start the service late this year. If AirAsia X confirms, it will become the airport’s eighth regular visiting international airline.
An independent assessment of the impact of the new service shows if AirAsia X flies into Christchurch seven days a week it could generate up to 900 jobs and $60m to $70m of annual economic benefit to the city through the boost to the local tourism industry. CIAL bosses met with officials from AirAsia X on January 20 with Mayor Bob Parker joining a welcoming delegation at the airport. AirAsia X’s CEO Azran Osman-Rani has been reported in Aust as saying one of the company’s 2010 objectives is to start flights to Christchurch.
AirAsia X has a fleet of eight aircraft – a mixture of Airbus A330-300s to A340-300s and has another 30 aircraft on order including the new Airbus A350 designed to take on Boeing’s delayed B787 Dreamliner. AirAsia X is affiliated with Virgin Group which has a 20% stake in the airline and Air Canada and commenced its first low-budget passenger service on November 2, 2007 to the Gold Coast from Kuala Lumpur. The airline also flies to Perth and Melbourne in Aust as well as long haul destinations including London and several cities in China and India.
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