Capital A Bhd's aviation group continues to deliver robust operational performance in the third quarter of 2024 by maintaining a high load factor of 89% despite a seasonally slower quarter.

During this period, AirAsia Cambodia demonstrated remarkable performance with passenger volume surging 62% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ), contributing to a 15-percentage point improvement in load factor.

"The aviation group, which comprises AirAsia Malaysia, AirAsia Thailand, AirAsia Indonesia, AirAsia Philippines and AirAsia Cambodia, also added three new A321neo aircraft and reactivated three additional aircraft, bringing its total activated fleet to 202 out of 216, allowing the group to capitalise on the growing travel demand across the region," Capital A said in a statement.

The company added that the international segment continues to experience robust demand, with routes to China and India recording a robust year-to-date (YTD) load factor of 89%.

"As for the domestic segment, routes to Sabah and Sarawak recorded a load factor of 92% after AirAsia Malaysia resumed its operations at Subang Airport in late August.

"Excluding AirAsia Cambodia, overall passenger numbers are nearing pre-pandemic levels, with YTD recovery reaching 85% of pre-Covid figures, surpassing capacity recovery of 81%," Capital A said.

Meanwhile, Capital A's Asia Digital Engineering (ADE) recorded a slight decline in base maintenance checks in 3Q24.

"In 3Q24, ADE only completed 13 base maintenance checks.

"However, the line maintenance checks completed in 3Q24 recorded a 17% YoY increase, driven by the operational launch of ADE in the Philippines and Indonesia.

"Apart from AirAsia as the anchor customer, ADE has recorded a 20% QoQ increase in number of line checks performed on third-party airlines during the quarter, contributing to the overall growth in line maintenance checks," Capital A said.

In terms of Santan's in-flight catering, Capital A said the segment experienced a slight 5% YoY decline due to lower sales of non-perishable items by 22% YoY. However, this was compensated by a 2% and 19% increase in sales of pre-book and onboard perishable items.

"As for the ready-to-eat meal segment, it recorded a remarkable surge, with unit sales increasing from just over 700 in 3Q23 to nearly 230,000 in 3Q24. The surge was driven by Santan's successful expansion of partnerships with retailers like Secret Recipe and Tealive, alongside the onboarding of a third-party customer, Ang Ang Roastery during the quarter, and higher recurring orders from existing partners.

"The restaurant and café segment, on the other hand, also showcases promising results by recording an increase of 116% YoY or 8% QoQ to reach over 630,000 units in 3Q24. The growth is driven by a variety of options which resulted in higher quantities repurchased by the respective outlets," Capital A added.

Capital A's cargo segment maintained a strong growth trajectory in 3Q24, with a 31% YoY and 21% QoQ increase. The growth is attributed to a 113% YoY increase in e-commerce parcel delivery.

Meanwhile, the travel segment remains the core driver for AirAsia MOVE with non-AirAsia flights and hotel bookings soaring in 3Q24.

"Non-AirAsia airline bookings have shown an impressive annual growth of 50% while the hotel segment grew 35% YoY on the back of improved assortment and personalisation offers, and the strong momentum is expected to continue in the following quarters," Capital A said, adding that AirAsia MOVE acquired 44% of new users this quarter, an increase of 8% QoQ.