Thai AirAsia (TAA) carried 16% more passengers in the second quarter but the growth lagged behind its 23% rise in capacity.
Thailand's largest low-cost carrier recorded 2.8 million passengers between April and June when it had 3.6 million seats, according to preliminary operating results issued yesterday by the Malaysia-based AirAsia group.
TAA's load factor was 78%, down from 82% in the same period last year, due mainly to Thailand's political unrest that led to a slowdown in inbound tourists.
No aircraft were added to TAA's fleet of A320 jets in the quarter.
The airline only introduced one additional route, Phuket-Kuala Lumpur, in the quarter, while frequencies were increased on three routes from Bangkok to Surat Thani, Phuket and Khon Kaen.
TAA and its major shareholder, SET-listed Asia Aviation Plc (AAV), are expected to release their overall results after their board meeting tomorrow.
In the first quarter, TAA carried 3.1 million passengers, a 22% increase over the previous period.
AAV's net profit for the quarter fell to 246.9 million baht from 726 million, primarily because of inflated jet financing costs.
TAA last week said it has scaled down its expansion plans for this year, downsizing its fleet growth plan and passenger volumes to reflect sluggish demand triggered by the political unrest in the first half of this year.
It will this year take delivery of five A320 jets, instead of eight planned previously, and has trimmed its 2014 passenger target to 12.6 million, down from 13.3 million.
TAA commercial director Santisuk Klongchiaya said yesterday that the revised plan is consistent with the slowdown in travel demand, particularly from overseas, that was buffeted by pre-coup uncertainties.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, foreign arrivals dropped by 9.91% to 11.77 million in the first half as 57 countries issued travel advisories about visiting Thailand.
So far this year, TAA has received four A320s and it will shortly take delivery of another to bring its fleet to 40 by the end of this year.