AirAsia X to relook Europe, India routes, says Tony Fernandes

Ana Ghoib Syeikh Malaya 6:32 PTG
KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 – AirAsia, through its long-haul unit, AirAsia X, will look at the possibilities of reviving its previously axed routes to Europe and India, citing high operating cost at that time.

AirAsia Group Chief Executive Tan Sri Tony Fernandes (picture) said the long-haul frills-free carrier would be making a re-entry into India by introducing new destinations there to cover the entire nation of 1.2 billion people.

He said India has been a great market for AirAsia all this while as the airline was seen as a strong brand in the country, especially in the southern region.

“We have not covered India yet. The growth potential is definitely there,” he told reporters after the launch of AirAsia X’s IPO prospectus today.

The airline is enroute for listing on Bursa Malaysia on July 10.

Fernandes, the brains behind AirAsia’s meteoric rise since its inception 11 years ago, had tweeted before that AirAsia X will re-start the KL-New Delhi and KL-Mumbai routes soon.

The carrier axed flights to Mumbai and New Delhi on Jan 31, 2012 after flying to both destinations since 2010, citing high operating costs.

It is believed that the renewed routes would serve as a feeder for its latest venture into India, given that domestic aviation rules do not permit new airlines to operate international routes for the first five years of operations.

The routes can also provide a strong domestic northern India connectivity for the soon to-be-operational AirAsia India, a 49:30:21 venture between AirAsia, Tata Sons and Telstra Tradeplace of Indian investor Arun Bhatia.

The airline, to based in Chennai and slated for operations by year-end, will cater primarily to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Meanwhile, Fernandes said as AirAsia X takes delivery of the Airbus A350-900 aircraft in the next few years, the long-haul carrier might commence flights to Europe and likely revive the London and Paris routes which were axed in January 2012.

“London was a very important milestone for the company and personal for me. It enhanced the branding of our company significantly.

“Now, we do not have a suitable aircraft to fly there. Once we take delivery of the A350, we might consider going back there again.

“However, it must still suit AirAsia X’s business plan and model,” he said.

AirAsia X has a firm order of ten A350-900s, to be delivered beyond 2017. – Bernama

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