MALAYSIA : Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia hopes to roll out its Kuala Lumpur-Singapore flights by December.
AirAsia's CEO Tony Fernandez said the carrier plans to charge less than a third of the fares levied by Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airlines (MAS), although he will let market forces determine the final pricing.
Fernadez was responding to the Malaysian government's announcement that it'll let AirAsia operate two flights a day on the lucrative route.
Currently, national carriers SIA and MAS are the only ones allowed to fly between the two cities, charging more than US$200 for a round trip.
Speaking at a news conference, Fernadez said the launch of AirAsia's new service will depend on how soon both countries can iron out a bilateral air agreement.
He said he was thrilled by the development, as the opening up of the route will benefit the budget carrier significantly.
"Of course it's a cash cow. MAS charges 800 ringgit for the 30-minute flight. We only charge 60 ringgit to JB. You work out the sums," said AirAsia's CEO.
Once the ASEAN Open Skies Agreement comes into force in 2009, AirAsia aims to operate at least 20 flights a day to Singapore.
It plans to add another 25 planes to its current fleet of 150. - CNA /ls
<--------- Cool! Flying from Penang or KL to Singapore will be much cheaper by then
AirAsia's CEO Tony Fernandez said the carrier plans to charge less than a third of the fares levied by Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airlines (MAS), although he will let market forces determine the final pricing.
Fernadez was responding to the Malaysian government's announcement that it'll let AirAsia operate two flights a day on the lucrative route.
Currently, national carriers SIA and MAS are the only ones allowed to fly between the two cities, charging more than US$200 for a round trip.
Speaking at a news conference, Fernadez said the launch of AirAsia's new service will depend on how soon both countries can iron out a bilateral air agreement.
He said he was thrilled by the development, as the opening up of the route will benefit the budget carrier significantly.
"Of course it's a cash cow. MAS charges 800 ringgit for the 30-minute flight. We only charge 60 ringgit to JB. You work out the sums," said AirAsia's CEO.
Once the ASEAN Open Skies Agreement comes into force in 2009, AirAsia aims to operate at least 20 flights a day to Singapore.
It plans to add another 25 planes to its current fleet of 150. - CNA /ls
<--------- Cool! Flying from Penang or KL to Singapore will be much cheaper by then
No comments:
Post a Comment