AirAsia X Expands Japan Operations withFirst Flight intoNagoya

 

Offering Inaugural fares from as low as MYR299* (JPY11,000) to Nagoya

 

Photo Caption 1 (Arrival of AirAsia X into Nagoya): From left to right: Dato’ Fam Lee Ee, Director of AirAsia X, Azran Osman- Rani, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X, Tan Sri’ Rafidah, Chairman of AirAsia X and spouse, Tan Sri’ Bashir.

 

Photo Caption 2 (Fare Reveal): From left to right: Kamui Kobayashi, F1 Driver and Azran Osman-Rani, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X at Chubu Centrair International Airport.

 

 

NAGOYA, 17 March 2014- Asia’s leading long-haul, low cost carrier affiliate of the AirAsia Group; AirAsia X Berhad commenced its inaugural direct flight into Nagoya from Kuala Lumpur today. Flight D7 542 arrived in Chubu Centrair International Airport at 16:20 carrying 341 passengers, a 90% passenger load.

 

Nagoya is AirAsia X’s third destination in Japan after Tokyo and Osaka. The airline will commence four weekly flights into Nagoya, Japan beginning today.

 

The AirAsia X flight, D7 542 which was operated by the Airbus A330-300 aircraft landed with a welcoming water canon salute arranged by Chubu Centrair International Airport at the tarmac. AirAsia X Chairman; Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, AirAsia X Director; Dato Fam Lee Ee, AirAsia X CEO; Azran Osman- Rani and a few of AirAsia X’s senior management officials were among the passengers on board the inaugural flight. They were warmly greeted at a press conference by the Malaysian Ambassador to Japan; H.E. Datuk Shaharuddin Mohd Som; Senior Executive Vice President & COO of Centrair International Airport; Mr. Shigeki Ito, Mr. Toshio Mita; Chairman of Chubu Economic Federation, Japan government officials, Tourism Malaysia representatives, members of the media and relevant business partners. Guests at the press conference received a surprise visitor when; Mr. Kamui Kobayashi; the Caterham F1 driver entered the function room and unveiled the inaugural launch fare together with AirAsia X CEO.

 

In commemoration of our first flight into Nagoya, AirAsia X will be offering launch fares from as low as MYR299* (JPY11,000) on Economy and MYR999* (JPY29,900) on Premium to Nagoya from Kuala Lumpur. Fly Thru launch fares are also available from selected destinations in Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, India and Vietnam to Nagoya. Bookings are available online from 18 to 30 March, 2014 for immediate travel between 19 March and 30 September, 2014.

 

Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X said, “With AirAsia X’s renowned low fares, guests from Japan may now travel from our ports in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya  when exploring their travel and holiday plans to the  South East Asia region and beyond via the Kuala Lumpur hub. This is very much in line with the government’s tourism agenda, and the airline’s commitment to boost the Malaysian tourism industry as well as increase tourism traffic across our group network. Similarly, with the addition of Nagoya, guests will have more travel options to explore Japan, and we believe Nagoya being a scenic and historical destination will be a popular tourist destination.”

 

Nagoya is strategically located just 50 minutes from Osaka city and 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo via train. Nagoya, the largest city in the Chubu region, more famous as the birth place of Toyota was also the birth place of the 3 samurai’s who unified Japan in the 16^th century. Home to the famous Atsuta Shrine, known as the second-most venerable shrine in Japan, and the restored Nagoya castle which was then burnt down during World War II. Also famous for its abundance of cherry blossom trees during spring time, Japanese macaques, otherwise known as Snow Monkeys bathing in the hot springs are also a big tourist attraction in this region. 

 

AirAsia X was the first long-haul, low fare carrier to introduce Premium Flatbed seats, which have standard business class specifications of 20” width, 60” pitch and stretch out to 77” in full recline position.

 

The Premium flatbeds feature universal power sockets, adjustable headrests and built-in personal utilities such as tray table, drink holder, reading light and privacy screen. Premium seat guests also enjoy premium complimentary products and services including Pick A Seat, Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding, Priority Baggage, 25kg Baggage Allowance, Complimentary Meal and Pillow & Duvet.

 

AirAsia X was awarded the World’s Best Low Cost Airline Premium Seat and the World’s Best Low Cost Airline Premium Class titles at the 2013 Skytrax World Airline Awards which took place at the Paris Airshow. The AirAsia Group also received its 5^th consecutive year title as the World’s Best and Asia’s Best Low Cost Airline at the 2013 Skytrax World Airline Awards.