Increase Indonesian Tourism, AirAsia Add 15 Aircrafts In 2023

AirAsia aircraft. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Indonesia AirAsia (IAA) is preparing to develop Indonesian tourism by 2023 by adding 15 fleets. Thus, a total of 32 aircraft will be operated.

The CEO of Capital A, the parent company of AirAsia, Tony Fernandes, emphasized that the addition of the fleet was in line with the increasing volume of air travel after COVID-19.

"Adding our fleet to 32 from 17 today this year," he said in an official statement, Friday, January 27.

Tony said his party also plans to bring the A330 to a wider body for better connectivity with Southeast Asia including Japan, South Korea, China, and India.

"With this expansion, we hope to develop logistics and strengthen our support for Indonesia in restoring and growing the tourism industry," he said.

On the same occasion, AirAsia Aviation Group Group Group CEO Bo Lingam expressed his optimism for the Indonesian airline's business. He said AirAsia's international operations were very strong in Indonesia.

Lingam said, before COVID-19, his party had brought nearly 5 million passengers, representing 30 percent of international tourists arriving in the country.

"We have created nearly two thousand jobs in Indonesia and generated more than $3 billion in tourism revenue, which has a strong growth potential this year, following a strong post-COVID-19 surge in travel demand," Lingam said.

The statistical results of the Capital A operation show that AirAsia has contributed greatly to tourism in Indonesia with AirAsia Indonesia flying 3.25 million paxes with nearly 23,000 flights with 16 operational aircraft in 2022.

Seats sold on international flights jumped sharply by 7,397 percent year on year (yoy). In 2019, 28 units of IAA aircraft managed to bring more than 4 million foreign tourists to Indonesia.

"Currently, the IAA operates 17 aircraft and is on a solid track to restore routes and connectivity with its plan to have a total of 32 aircraft by 2023," he said.

IAA's strong commitment to supporting Indonesia's tourism growth is also shown by its support for the promotion of Indonesia's super priority destinations such as Lake Toba in Sumatra and Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara.