KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13:
AirAsia Group today conducted tests on wifi services on-board aircraft – with a view towards launching such Internet connectivity to its passengers by year-end.
A group of 120 volunteers took part in this successful test – which included services provided by LINE, Whatsapp and WeChat
“This is one of many initiatives that we are rolling out to boost our ancillary income per passenger spent target of RM60 in the near term,” said group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.
He said over the next two months, AirAsia will be let 60 guests on each flight participate in the free user test. “Details will be shared via AirAsia’s website and official social media channels.
“The wifi equipment that was introduced to us much earlier was just too expensive and we have decided to develop our own. It has taken us five years to come to this stage.”
AirAsia is also expanding its cargo offerings with a door-to-door courier service to be launched tomorrow.
The latest initiative is seen as an effort by the budget airline group to expand its cargo income, which does not seem to have been significant enough yet to merit a separate mention in its latest audited financial statements.
In its 2013 annual report, AirAsia Bhd lumped freight as part of separate earnings – which also included fees from assigned seats, cancellations, on-board sale of meals and merchandise, documentation and other fees.
As an indication as to how much AirAsia wants to grow its cargo business, a 10% revenue target was reportedly indicated for its India joint venture which took off several weeks ago.
The AirAsia cargo website showed that the carrier has capacity to handle up to 10 tonnes in its A330-300 planes and 2.5 tonnes in the A320-200.
The larger plane can take both containers and pallettes but the smaller aircraft limits bulk cargo sizes to 140x70x70cm, with weight per piece capped at 85kg.