Flights are expensive, and that’s why I’m happy to see budget airlines succeed and expand. Air Asia, a Malaysian company, is a very affordable airline that mostly flies around South East Asia and in 2011 they teamed up with Japan’s All Nippon Airways to offer affordable flights to and from Tokyo and Osaka. I wasn’t sure how the company would do since they recently pulled AirAsia X out of Europe, but things seem to be fine and they’re moving forward.

This year I’m pretty excited about their proposed expansion into Fukuoka, Okinawa, and Seoul Korea. I’m looking forward to seeing what destinations are offered departing from Fukuoka and how much the airfare will cost. There are a lot of places I’m interested in traveling to.

In other news, ANA (All Nippon Airways) announced it will sell 914 million new shares priced at 184 yen ($2.33) each, with the proceeds used to fund a huge purchase of Boeing Dreamliners and boost its international network.