PRESS RELEASE

 

 

 

AIRASIA X SELECTS UNITPOOL FOR “ULD” SERVICES

 

Zurich 27^th February 2008. AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia is a low-cost long-haul airline launched in January 2007, and commenced commercial services in November 2007. The airline has selected Unitpool Limited to provide a fully outsourced Unit Load Devices (ULD) package. The services include supply of containers and pallets, repair and maintenance and global operational control and management.

 

AirAsia X plans to operate a fleet of A330s providing connections initially between Asia and Europe through it’s hub in Kuala Lumpur.  Unitpool provides a full ULD management service and is the only ULD supplier to operate a Pool of ULDs. 

 

Dato’ Abdul Nasser Abu Kassim, Regional Head of Cargo AirAsia said “AirAsia, on behalf of AirAsia X is pleased to have chosen Unitpool as the airline’s “Unit Load Devices” (ULD) service provider due to its global network and service reliability among others. Their strong presence in Asia, Australia, Middle East and Europe will be able to compliment our network above others. And with the strong growth potential of AirAsia X as a truly low cost long haul carrier, the partnership will positively compliment one another.”

 

Unitpool’s CEO, David Harman commented, “We expect AirAsia X to be a huge success and really look forward to working with them.  Our role is to work seamlessly and quietly in the background, allowing AirAsia X to operate and market their services without the hassle of procuring, repairing or positioning ULDs. The fact that AirAsia X has ambitious growth plans is positive for us, as we have existing customers that are similar and their planned destinations will bring station overlaps and therefore exciting Pooling synergies for our ever growing customer base.  Our 24/7 operations unit is located in Bangkok, which is close to AirAsia’s hub in KUL and was an important factor in the selection process.”

 

Unitpool is enjoying a significant increase in interest in its services from airlines globally. Unitpool is now serving airline customers at more than 260 stations globally with a ULD pool of more than 20,000 ULDs.

 

AirAsia X has commenced services to two destinations namely; Gold Coast, Australia and Hangzhou, China and aims to cover destinations which are more than four hours in flight duration from Kuala Lumpur, complementing the existing AirAsia network and offering daily point-to-point frequencies to popular destinations in Australia, North Asia, India, the Middle East and Europe. 

 

Further information on AirAsia and Unitpool can be obtained from the following web sites – www.airasia.com and www.unitpool.com

 

About AirAsia and AirAsia X

 

The leading, largest and award-winning low-cost carrier in Asia, AirAsia which recently won the coveted CAPA Airline of the Year 2007 award has carried over 46 million passengers to date, grown from a 2-aircraft fleet to 65 today and now, has the most extensive low cost route network in the region of over 90 routes – all within the grasp of six years in operation. The airline today is proud to be a truly ASEAN airline with its network stretches across 10 ASEAN countries, targeting 23 million passengers for year 2008 alone. AirAsia also has its eyes set on carrying 190 million passengers by year 2013. AirAsia has placed the largest order of a total of 175 firm orders of Airbus A320s and 50 purchase options, making it the biggest operator for the aircraft in the world. AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia with shareholders including the Virgin Group, is a low-cost long-haul airline launched in January 2007, and commenced commercial services in November 2007. Having licensed its brand from AirAsia, AirAsia X’s long-haul, low-cost business model is built on sustainable and continued delivery of everyday low fares. Currently it flies 4 times weekly to Gold Coast, Australia and 5 times weekly to Hangzhou, China. AirAsia X  enhances the in-flight experience with a number of innovative services and comfortable seats new to the low-cost model. 

 

For further information, MEDIA please contact AirAsia Publicity Team :

 

Sherliza Zaharudin

My Mobile No  : +6013621 2411

My Office No   : +603 8660 4294

My Email         :  sherlizazaharudin@airasia.com

 

Janet Leow                                                              

My Mobile No  : +6012 387 3358

My Office No  : +603 8660 4265                       

My Email        : Janetleow@airasia.com               

 

Mazlan Rasheed

My Mobile No  : +6012 273 7097

My Office No  : +603 8660 4263

My Email          : mazlanrasheed@airasia.com

 

About Unitpool

 

Unitpool is an asset management company that specializes in supplying and managing a global fleet of over 20,000 Unit Load Devices (ULD), across more than 260 airports, for a group of 26 member airlines.  Unitpool provides the capital, the global supplier network (for repairs and maintenance, logistics and procurement) and with a team of professional staff and a tailor-made ULD management system, the expertise to manage a critical component of the airline’s operation.  Unitpool remains the only company to offer airlines a fully managed ULD pooling solution.  Member airlines are invoiced an all-inclusive fee per ULD, per month.  With a dedicated account manager, they can revise their stock requirement on a monthly basis, turning a cash-intensive fixed cost item into a variable cost.  As Unitpool and its customers grow, so does the possibility for network overlaps and the opportunity to create the synergies that allow us to bring down the airline’s individual stock needs.  Unitpool currently employs 51 staff.  31 are based in Bangkok, our 24/7 Operations Centre, 10 in Zurich, Unitpool headquarters, 5 at our branch office in the UK. In addition, Unitpool has supervisory staff at key airports in the network.  Unitpool was acquired by Aviation Services Holdings in October 2007, a company owned by the Afinum Group www.afinum.de and a group of influential aviation investors.

 

For further information, MEDIA please contact Unitpool’s Commercial Director:

 

Guadalupe Cordoba (Lou)

My Mobile No  : +41 79 398 8785

My Office No  : +41 43 255 4155

My Email          : gcordoba@unitpool.com