AirAsia is eyeing a new airline unit in Vietnam – its clearest indication about its expansion plans in the region – as part of a wider “multi-hub” strategy in Southeast Asia.
In an analysts’ presentation for its third-quarter earnings, AirAsia and AirAsia X outline their network strategy for the long-term. Part of its plans include “two new hubs in Vietnam with a potential new AOC in Vietnam”.
AirAsia Group, which is in the process of being divested by parent Capital A to AirAsia X, does not provide further details, including a launch timeline.
Capital A chief Tony Fernandes has on several occasions spoke about growing its presence in Southeast Asia through new airline units. The group currently has airline units in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Cambodia. AirAsia Cambodia is the group’s newest unit, having started operations in mid-2024.
In 2023, Fernandes said that AirAsia hopes to have two more airlines – including AirAsia Cambodia – in the region.
The topic was again brought up in an analysts’ briefing in March this year, where it teased a new Southeast Asian unit, but stopped short of providing further details.
If AirAsia’s new Vietnam unit becomes operational, it will be the country’s third low-cost operator, after Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines-owned Pacific Airlines.
