Low-cost, long-haul carrier AirAsia X and its new Bangkok-based carrier Thai AirAsia X have announced plans to grow AirAsia Group’s activities in Japan with the launch of three new routes over the final four months of 2014. This will see flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo Narita from November 21, 2014 and from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to Osaka and Tokyo Narita from September 1, 2014.

AirAsia X made its first moves into the Japanese market in December 2010 when it inaugurated three times weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo Haneda, adding services to Osaka almost a year larer in November 2011. Due to strong passenger demand the Haneda route was boosted to a daily schedule in June 2012 and will now be complement by the new link to Narita, also serving Japan’s capital, Tokyo. The new route will initially operate four times weekly but will grow to a daily operation from May 2015.

Since its debut, AirAsia X has carried over one million passengers to and from its Japan routes and Japan contributes over 12 per cent of the airline’s total revenue to date. The airline is committed to Japan and the additional flight frequency to Narita is in line with its expansion strategy for the region, says the carrier.

“AirAsia X is responding to the strong and growing travel demand to and from Japan. The airline has recorded on average 89 per cent passenger load in the first half of 2014, proving the strong demand for the route since the commencement of its inaugural flight in November 2011,” said Azran Osman-Rani, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X.

The expansion of the recently launched Thai AirAsia X will see the introduction of a daily service between Bangkok and Tokyo Narita and a five times weekly link between Bangkok and Osaka. This move is part of the airline’s growth strategy in North Asia and continued strategic emphasis on the Japanese market.

“Thailand has always been a popular destination for Japanese travellers and we are pleased to offer more affordable and convenient travel options for those who wish to visit Bangkok and beyond,” said Nadda Buranasiri, chief executive officer, Thai AirAsia X.

“In 2013, Thailand welcomed 1.5 million Japanese travelers, an increase of 11.9 per cent compared to the previous year and we are confident that we can contribute to the further increase number of tourists travelling between the two countries,” he added.

The additional flights from both AirAsia X and Thai AirAsia X will provide passengers better access from Malaysia and the surrounding region to Japan and from Japan to South East Asia and beyond. Through its Fly-Thru offering passengers from its long haul network and that of the AirAsia Group will be able to connect seamlessly to these new routes from over 90 destinations across the Group’s network.

“The additional flights from both AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X will indeed open up new horizons for commercial activities and boost tourism in Japan and the Asean region.” added Osman-Rani.