Low-Cost Airlines Take Off Online in Asia Pacific

Comscore Releases Report “Low-Cost Airlines: The Changing Demographics of Travel – Global Travel Trends with a Focus on Asia Pacific”

Singapore, April 11, 2011 – Comscore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released results from a study on the online travel industry with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. The report found that in the past year, low-cost airline websites have experienced strong growth in visitation as consumers continue to search for the best travel deals online. The report Low-Cost Airlines: The Changing Demographics of Travel – Global Travel Trends with a Focus on Asia Pacific, released by Comscore and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), provides insight into consumers’ usage of online travel sites with a particular focus on low-cost airline audiences. To download a complimentary copy of the report, please visit: http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Presentations_Whitepapers/2011/Global_Travel_Trends_with_a_Focus_on_Asia_Pacific. Comscore’s Joe Nguyen will present findings from the study along with additional insights on the evolution of the travel industry at the PATA 60th Anniversary & Conference on April 12.

“Across the globe, consumers continue to turn to the web for their travel needs,” said Joe Nguyen, Comscore vice president for Southeast Asia. “From researching destinations to shopping for the best prices and deals to actually making airline ticket and hotel purchases, the convenience of the online channel is vital in supporting consumers’ many travel decisions. Building a strong online brand and integrated digital strategy is critical for suppliers and OTAs alike in this fast growing market segment in Asia.”

Low-Cost Airlines Attract Greater Numbers in Asia Pacific

In the Asia Pacific region, low-cost airlines have generated significant audience growth over the past year as attractive offers and promotions have prompted more consumers – and especially younger travelers – to consider these airlines. Malaysian discount airline Air Asia grew its audience by an impressive 1.2 million visitors in the past year to help maintain its lead as the top-visited low-cost airline site in the Asia Pacific region. Tiger Airways posted the strongest rate of growth, more than tripling its online traffic to 1.8 million visitors, while Malaysia’s Firefly and India’s Indigo posted strong growth rates of 89 percent and 70 percent, respectively.

Total Unique Visitors (000) to Select Low-Cost Airline Sites in Asia Pacific
February 2011 vs. February 2010
Total Audience Asia Pacific: Visitors Age 15+, Home and Work Location
Source: Comscore MMX

Total Unique Visitors (000)

Feb-2010

Feb-2011

% Change

Total Internet : Total Audience

472,864

545,183

15

Airasia.com

2,236

3,380

51

Tiger Airways

554

1,805

226

Jetstar.com

1,028

1,169

14

Cebupacificair.com

457

669

47

Goindigo.in

299

508

70

Skymark.co.jp

332

453

36

Spicejet.com

332

430

30

Fireflyz.com.my

143

269

89

*Excludes visitation from public computers such as Internet cafes or access from mobile phones or PDAs.

The Comscore and PATA report, Low-Cost Airlines: The Changing Demographics of Travel – Global Travel Trends with a Focus on Asia Pacific, provides insight into consumers’ use of online travel sites with a particular focus on low-cost airline audiences. To download a complimentary copy of the report, please visit: http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Presentations_Whitepapers/2011/Global_Travel_Trends_with_a_Focus_on_Asia_Pacific

About Comscore

Comscore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) is a global leader in measuring the digital world and preferred source of digital business analytics. For more information, please visit www.comscore.com/companyinfo.

Contact:
Sarah Radwanick
Director, Regional Product Marketing
Comscore, Inc.
+44 (0) 20 7099 1784
worldpress@comscore.com