AirAsia posts 151.6 per cent jump in third quarter profit

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia on Thursday said net profit jumped 151.6 per cent in the third quarter as passenger demand picked up.

Southeast Asia's largest budget airline by fleet size said net profit for the July-to-September quarter rose to 327.29 million ringgit (62.89 million dollars) from 130.07 million ringgit in same period last year.

"Our route connectivity and flight frequency within the (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region is unmatched and we will continue to ensure that it will stay this way," airline founder and group CEO Tony Fernandes said in a statement.

"We have created a strong affinity with the people in the region thanks to our strong brand," he said.

Fernandes said that despite the quarter being traditionally weak due to the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan there was a 12.0 per cent increase in passenger numbers to 4.0 million in the third.

"We are heading into our strongest quarter on the back of what is already an amazing performance this year. We are looking forward to deliver the numbers for (the fourth quarter), actually," he added.