Suitors aplenty for AirAsia Longhaul
KUALA LUMPUR – The lips of Datuk Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Bhd’s group chief executive, may still remain tight over its offshoot AirAsia Longhaul’s first destination but he is not so “shy” in disclosing the large number of suitors chasing it to launch services in their countries.
He revealed this in an indirect response to TravelMole’s query if AirAsia Longhaul, Asia’s first long-haul low-cost carrier, would launch its service this September with the much-anticipated Kuala Lumpur-London route.
His reply: “Can’t tell yet. AirAsia Longhaul is spoilt for choice as where to fly to as we are inundated with requests from the Middle East, Australia, Korea and China. Europe has been phenomenal in their response.”
AirAsia Longhaul, which will be operated by Fly Asian Xpress Sdn Bhd (FAX) of which Fernandes is a director, has also been invited to launch services within the African continent. Several African parties had expressed their interest in AirAsia Longhaul, Fernandes added.
The airline’s management is currently evaluating these offers and going “around the world” to visit airports and tourism authorities.
Fernandes also demolished speculations that the longhaul LCC would be flying to either Sydney or Adelaide in Australia. Instead it is looking at Newcastle, which is about two hours away from Sydney.
“We don’t mind flying into an airport that is two hours away provided it is cheaper. We are appealing to the leisure market not the business market,” he said.
In a related development Prague is waiting eagerly for AirAsia Longhaul to land there. The Czech Republic hopes the airline can finalise negotiations to fly to its capital city by December.
The Czech Republic’s ambassador to Malaysia, Dana Hunatova, said there was much expectation that AirAsia Longhaul would be granted landing rights to fly to Prague. The direct air links between the two countries could boost ties in tourism, trade, investments, culture and education.
“Like most Europeans, the Czechs like the hot weather and the sun, so Malaysia is an ideal destination for tourism.”
FAX is privately owned by Fernandes (50 per cent), AirAsia deputy CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun (30 per cent) and director Raja Azmi Raja Razali (20 per cent).
It currently operates the domestic rural air services (RAS) in Sabah and Sarawak but would soon be handing it over to national carrier Malaysia Airlines, which is expected to start a new outfit to operate the service.
by Corinne Wan
Ian Jarrett
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