Starlux Airlines posts almost 70 percent year-on-year sales growth in September

PROJECTION: Starlux said it anticipates growth to continue after it launched new routes this month, such as Taipei-Bali, Taichung-Sapporo and Taichung-Nagoya

Starlux Airlines Co’s (星宇航空) revenue last month rose almost 70 percent from a year earlier, bolstered by strong demand for passenger travel and for cargo shipments of tech devices amid the artificial intelligence (AI) boom.

The carrier generated NT$4.98 billion (US$155.21 million) in consolidated sales last month, up 69 percent from a year earlier, it said on Monday.

Passenger revenue rose 70 percent from a year earlier to NT$3.72 billion, while cargo revenue rose 59 percent to NT$706 million, the carrier said.

A Starlux Airlines Co plane takes off from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Monday last week.

Photo: CNA

In the first nine months of this year, Starlux’s consolidated sales totaled NT$44.84 billion, up 37 percent from a year earlier, it said.

Fourth quarter is a peak season for international trade, and foreign buyers are expected to keep building inventories of AI servers, semiconductor equipment and electronic components, Starlux said.

Citing that trend and year-end shopping demand, the carrier said it is optimistic about its cargo business this quarter.

Starlux also expects growth in its passenger business to continue after it launched new routes this month, including Taipei-Bali, Taichung-Sapporo and Taichung-Nagoya, it added.

As the carrier takes delivery of new aircraft, Starlux said it would increase flights and deploy larger planes in its winter schedule, including Airbus A330neos on its Taipei-Hakodate and Taipei-Chiang Mai routes. Starlux said it would also deploy A350-1000s on its Taipei-Los Angeles and Taipei-San Francisco routes later this quarter.

Last week, Taiwan’s other major international carriers also reported solid sales for last month.

China Airlines Ltd (CAL, 中華航空) said its consolidated sales totaled NT$20.93 billion, a record for September and up 31.86 percent from a year earlier. Passenger revenue rose 30.73 percent to NT$11.46 billion, and cargo revenue rose 41.82 percent to NT$7.62 billion, CAL said.

EVA Airways Corp (長榮航空) reported consolidated sales of NT$20.75 billion, up 32.86 percent from a year earlier. Passenger revenue rose 28.09 percent to NT$11.94 billion, and cargo revenue rose 42.55 percent to NT$6.17 billion, it said.

CAL and EVA cited strong passenger demand during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, while their cargo businesses benefited from global demand for AI servers and consumer electronics.

In the first nine months of this year, CAL and EVA Air posted NT$185.92 billion and NT$194.38 billion respectively in consolidated sales, up 20 percent and 19.48 percent from a year earlier.

Tigerair Taiwan Ltd (台灣虎航), the country’s only low-cost carrier, said its average load factor — the percentage of seats filled — topped 90 percent last month, helping it lift revenue 36 percent from a year earlier to NT$1.74 billion.

Tigerair Taiwan’s consolidated sales for the first nine months totaled NT$15.62 billion, up 24 percent from a year earlier.