Air Asia builds cargo network, sees 40pc growth in 2010

LOW-cost carrier Air Asia said it would look to air freight as a major revenue source for the coming year, following the signing of special prorate agreements with several airlines, reports Australia's AirCargo Asia Pacific.

Combined with strategic tie-ups with cargo agents and large import-export companies, the Kuala Lumpur carrier boasts of a much expanded network, which includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa and more of south Asia, leading the company to expect cargo a 40 per cent year-on-year increase this year.

Regional cargo chief Sathis Manoharen said Air Asia was particularly focused on the south Asian market, with launch of three new services to the region last November to compliment its existing three. Air Asia's various destinations across south Asia now include Dhaka, Colombo, Tiruchirappalli, Kochi, Kolkata, and Trivandrum.

Domestically, the carrier also stands to benefit from an expected increase in perishable shipments - seafood from West Malaysia in particular. Demand for outbound services to Hong Kong and Macau via KL meanwhile is also expected to rise.

(Source: www.schednet.com)