AirAsia X Considers MAS Axed Routes

12th Jun 2015

Malaysian long haul carrier AirAsia X Berhad is considering stepping up for the routes terminated by Malaysia Airlines (MAS), but it will only do so if it finds them to be commercially viable, the CEO of this carrier, Mr. Benyamin Ismail said.

Here’s what the chief executive officer of AirAsia X Bhd said when asked whether his company would be willing to “fill in” the routes axed by Malaysia Airlines:

If they (Malaysia Airlines) are reducing it, it has to be due to commercial reason. We will look into it and if it makes sense for us, we will do it.

Identifying New Routes is Part of AirAsia X’s Plan to Return to Profitability, Ismail Says

Speaking to the reporters yesterday at the Global Airport Development Conference 2015, he said:

This year is all about returning to profitability. We are introducing three new routes.

He also added that North Asia and Australia are the long haul carrier’s biggest revenue bringers.

On Australia Refunds and Future Europe Flights

Regarding the refunds for cancelled South Australian routes, Mr. Ismail said that all refunds have already been made.

Asked about starting flights to Europe, he said the company currently does not have aircrafts that would be suitable for travel to those destinations. He has pointed out that the Airbus A330neo is capable of flying directly to UK’s capital London. This plane should come out in the next two years.

Here’s what he had to say about this:

So, I have told Tony (Fernandes, AirAsia Group Bhd CEO), wait for two years, then we will fly to London.

Global Airport Development 2015 conference was held in the Sheraton Imperial hotel in Kuala Lumpur from 9th to 11th June.  Over 80 companies from the sector and more than 150 CEOs, CFOs and other senior executives attended the conference.

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