Is Fernandes bluffing over Abu Dhabi hub?
KUALA LUMPUR – AirAsia’s Group CEO Tony Fernandes has confirmed to Malaysian media that Abu Dhabi will be the new Middle East hub for its long-haul carrier AirAsia X. 

Last week AirAsia X chief executive Azran Osman-Rani said that new aircraft being delivered to AirAsia would result in congestion at the carrier’s terminal at Kuala Lumpur and there was a need to utilise the aircraft elsewhere.
Abu Dhabi airport executives said they were still awaiting an official letter of intent from the airline.
The decision to look for a hub in the Middle East appears to be linked to a three-year dispute between Air Asia and Malaysian Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) over unpaid dues.
A month ago, the Malaysian government turned down a request from AirAsia X for the rights to fly to Seoul and Sydney.
The airline was counting on the new routes to use extra planes that will be delivered this year.
The latest move by Fernandes to suggest a hub for AirAsia X in Abu Dhabi – the home base of Etihad – could be viewed as a move by the airline to put pressure back on the government to approve Sydney and Seoul flights.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive