Air Asia X to launch Malaysia flights
30.07.08
Air Asia X is planning to launch budget flights from Stansted to Kuala Lumpur next year, despite record oil prices, the Telegraph reports. The Malaysian budget airline was in final talks this week with Stansted about launching the route, with fares from £350 return, the newspaper claims, adding that the 6 flights a week service will begin next year.
Air Asia X is 20% owned by Sir Richard Branson and is a subsidiary of Air Asia, the region’s biggest budget airline. Tony Fernandes, Air Asia’s founder and chief executive, told the newspaper: ‘It is looking good, we are just finalising negotiations.’
The budget airline plans to exploit the lack of competition between the UK and Kuala Lumpur, which is only served by Malaysia Airlines. Mr Fernandes said that flights could start in March, but that they would definitely commence by next June. He blamed the delay - they were initially expected to start this year - on difficulties finding suitable aircraft for the new route.
He is banking on appealing to business and premium leisure travellers filling a front cabin of 58 premium economy seats to offset the lower-priced economy seats at the back of the plane. Both sets of passengers will have to pay for food, but there will be seat-back entertainment screens in both cabins.
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