In the news: AirAsia X, Asian Trails, Wego and Resorts World Sentosa, Abacus and Vietnam Airlines

AirAsia X turns five, IPO slated for early 2013

AirAsia X, the medium haul budget affiliate of AirAsia, recently celebrated its fifth birthday with a slew of “gifts” for its loyal guests including a party at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal at Sepang, a five-hour sale and a contest together with Tune Hotel

But the news many are waiting for is the airline’s impending initial public offering (IPO), on Bursa Malaysia (Malaysia Stock Exchange) slated to debut in first quarter of 2013. The airline is offering for sale 790.12 million shares or 33.3% of the company in the IPO.

Expected to raise about US$250 million (RM750 million) for AirAsia the proceeds are to reduce bank borrowings and for capital expenditure.

The company had submitted the proposal to the Securities Commission and expected to receive expected to receive approval by mid December.

In conjunction with the anticipated IPO the airline is on an expansion path.

“AirAsia X is set to grow with an addition of 24 A330-300 aircraft between 2013 and 2017, which would further allow us to expand our network even further and we look forward to our new home base in KLIA2 that will provide enhanced ground facilities and services for our guests,” said AirAsia X chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani.

He added AirAsia X would be concentrating on routes to countries like China, Taiwan, Japan and Australia as they are profitable. The airline is looking at two daily flights to destinations like Sydney, Melbourne, Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul.

Currently AirAsia X serves 12 destinations across Asia and Australia with its fleet of nine A330-300s and two A340-300s,

Asian Trails unveils online affiliate programme

Leading regional tour operator, Thailand-based Asian Trails, has unveiled its affiliate programme that brings online travel services in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia to third party websites by placing banners and cookies.

The objective of the programme, which links to the company’s online booking, is to enhance its customer reach, said Asian Trails group CEO Luzi Matzig (pictured left).

“This platform aims to bridge the gap with those who are not actively involved in the travel trade due to license- or legal reservations and other organizations, such as travel information platforms, or any website operator desiring to be part of the travel business.”

Affiliate members can register on the affiliate programme homepage and place an Asian Trails banner on their own website and start immediately to earn a minimum of 5% commission on bookings generated by their visitors.

Virat, Asian Trails’ IT manager, said the system offers features such as an easy registration process, calculation and payment of commissions based on every booking logged in, be it hotels or transfers or excursions.

“Ready-made banners are available and tailor-made banners can also be designed based on specific needs. The application is also very mobile app friendly for easy access to users on the move. It also offers 180 days of cookies, which is double of what Agoda does,“ he added.

Resorts World Sentosa teams up with Wego

Wego has signed a commercial agreement with Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa to integrate the resort’s accommodation offers and packages into more than 50 Wego country sites around the world.

Users can compare and book the best rates and package deals for Festive Hotel, Equarius Hotel,Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Hotel Michael and Beach Villas. They can also enjoy the various attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore®, the Maritime Experiential Museum and Marine Life Park, the world’s largest oceanarium scheduled to open later this year.

Potential visitors to the integrated resort can also check rooms’ availability and offers at Resorts World Sentosa hotels.

Resorts World Sentosa’s senior vice rresident of group sales and marketing, Edward Goh, said the partnership with Wego would help the integrated resort reach out to a wider audience in the Asia Pacific region.

Wego chief commercial officer, Craig Hewett (pictured above left), added the company would be closely tracking the response to the integration of these hotels and related marketing efforts, which would  assist in attracting more tourists to Singapore and the resort.

Abacus inks deal with Vietnam Airlines

Abacus International has signed a new multi-year partnership with Vietnam Airlines, which will see the airline continuing to provide Abacus-connected travel agents with access to its fares, seat availability, fare families and optional services.

This new partnership deal marks another significant milestone in the extensive relationship Vietnam Airlines and Abacus have enjoyed since 1995. The two partners will also continue to jointly market in key markets and utilise Abacus’ products and services to drive higher yield and stronger sales across Asia Pacific.

Abacus will deliver Abacus Branded Fares and Abacus Air Extras to address the airline’s needs for merchandising and ancillary product efficiencies.

Vietnam Airlines will also deploy Abacus Group extensively across key markets, including fast-growing Korea and China.

The airline has plans to expand its fleet to 171 aircraft by 2020, as well as expansion across its network throughout this period.