AIRASIA X CELEBRATES FIRST FLIGHT INTO SHANGHAI, SOLIDIFYING ITS PRESENCE IN CHINA

SHANGHAI, 20 FEBRUARY 2013 – AirAsia X, the long-haul, low fare affiliate of the AirAsia Group touched down Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 00:45 (Shanghai local time) today, marking its inaugural flight into Shanghai from Kuala Lumpur.

AirAsia X’s D7 330 flight arrived Shanghai with a full passenger load with 377 guests from Kuala Lumpur. Likewise, the inaugural flight from Shanghai departed at 0145 this morning with over 85% passenger load to Kuala Lumpur, an encouraging demand from the global city.

The arrival of AirAsia X into Shanghai will further expand the airlines reach in North Asia. AirAsia X will increase the current six direct flights weekly to daily flights to the city from 1st May onwards.

Azran Osman-Rani, Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia X said, “Pudong International Airport is a key aviation hub for the Asia region which would further open up new affordable travel to guests tapping into Shanghai and its surrounding regions and connect to over 85 destinations offered by the AirAsia group across ASEAN and beyond.”

“We believe our presence in Shanghai would further solidify AirAsia group’s position in China, offering guests a more affordable travel option and greater flight connections and flexibility between ASEAN and China.”

Shanghai is AirAsia Group’s fourteenth destination in China after Hangzhou, Beijing, Chengdu, Guilin, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Nanning, Kunming, Wuhan, Chongqing and Xian including Hong Kong and Macau.

AirAsia X officially celebrated the inaugural launch at Shanghai Paramount the Old Shanghai Style today with the attendance of AirAsia X’s Chairman, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Chief Executive Officer, Azran Osman-Rani, and Director, Dato’ Fam Lee Ee. Also present were the Consulate General of Malaysia in Shanghai, Mr. Hendy Assan and the Vice General Manager of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Mr Hu Zhi Hong, representatives from tourism bodies, Pudong airport, and business associates including members of the media.