KUALA LUMPUR: Capital A Bhd is confident that two of its airline units, AirAsia and AirAsia X, will return to 100 per cent capacity by March 2023. 

Capital A chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said currently the capacity for the airlines' domestic flight stood at 80 per cent while international at about 35 per cent. 

"We're rushing to service all our planes. We think by the end of the year we'll have about 180 planes flying out of our 205 (aircraft). 

"By March next year, all our planes would be serviced and ready to fly," he told reporters after announcing full-time employment to airasia Super App gig riders, here today. 

Fernandes also said there were no airport disruptions such as the likes of Heathrow Airport and Schiphol Airport at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) despite the increasing air travel demand in Malaysia. 

He lauded the efforts made by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) in recognising AirAsia as a key airline partner of the national airport operator. 

"We have a great relationship now with MAHB. If one thing Covid-19 has shown is that it doesn't matter whether you like or you don't like (each other), we both lose if we don't work together."

"And credit to MAHB managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood who has gone out of his way to say AirAsia is a key partner (of the airport operator), which is what we've always wanted. This is a partnership. We can't do it by ourselves and they can't do it by themselves," Fernandes added. 

Meanwhile, airasia Super App has become the first in Asia to provide gig riders with full-time employment as part of its commitment to giving them a better working environment and job stability. 

All airasia food and airasia xpress rides will be employed as full-time employees effective immediately. They can enjoy a full suite of Allstar benefits, including EPF, Socso, medical coverage, annual leave and travel benegits. 

In addition, the riders would receive a guaranteed income of up to RM3000 monthly, exclusive airasia rider training and free personal accident coverage. 

"Giving full-time employment to our gig riders is more than just offering them Allstar benefits. It's about adding value to their lives and career paths, allowing them to dream and making those dreams come true."

"By being full-time employees, they are part of the larger Capital A ecosystem, where they will have opportunities to explore and develop their careers further. From delivery riders, they can become cabin crew, pilot, data analyst, digital marketer or part of corporate office. The possibilities are endless," Fernandes said. 

airasia food is currently available in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia while the delivery service by airasia xpress is currently available in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2022/08/819311/airasia-airasia-x-hit-100pct-capacity-march-2023-tony-fernandes