Rumours Air Asia X axeing LGW, ORY, BOM DEL ?

[scandicstar]

Rumours mongering that Air Asia X is planning to axe LGW, ORY, BOM and DEL due to fierce competition from the legacy carriers and also the cost of this european carbon thingy is eating into their revenue. Even compare to MAS the fare is closing in for this London - Kuala lumpur.

[Metro man]

Sounds about right, by the time you add in baggage fees, meals etc you get very close to what a normal airline would charge. Premium seats are well above a regular airline economy fare and not too far off some business class tickets.

If you are traveling one way with no luggage and you get a special low fare then they can't be beaten on price, but that's all.

[squarecrow]

I found it cheaper to go with a Middle East carrier and stopover for a short while. It was a promo though.

[Hogger60]

Air Asia X is looking to start KUL-SYD to try and stay ahead of Scoot out of SIN, and the only aircraft they have that can do the service with are now flying to KUL-LGW. Makes sense to drop a route that is barely breaking even at best for one that has a potential to be profitable, and try and get a foothold before Scoot launches in May-Jun.

[Silver Spur]

My wife and I plus both my parents have KUL LGW KUL booked and paid already for Oct 2012. Will they still operate then? If not any idea whether I get a full refund?

[Billi360]

Other carriers may benefit from MAS route cuts (http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/1/7/business/10218400&sec=business)

Reflects on the management so far.

[Sultan Ismail]

There has to be something seriously wrong in MAS when they cannot get Kuala Lumpur to Johannesburg to work. These destinations are due to be pulled in February 2012, yet Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific can maintain a daily service.

Similarly with Zurich a couple of years ago, MAS pulled 4 flights a week yet the others still offer a daily service.

My own gripe as these are my destinations of choice. At least Changi is a good place to transit.

[ZFT]

TG to JNB is 3 times a week not daily

[Sultan Ismail]

ZFT
I stand corrected.

Into Johannesburg:

Singapore Airlines do offer a daily 777-200, Cathay a daily 747-400, Air France, Lufthansa and Emirates offer a daily 380-800. British Airways 2 x 747-400 etc. etc.

So why can't MH make it pay? Sad lah!

[Billi360]

Too many hands?

One tells about making money while another tells losing money but on the same subject. So now, which one is to be believed? Eg kinabalu 'hub'.:confused:

[sanook]

It's all about demand from O & D traffic and interline connections.

[kwaiyai]

Check out the Ticket price for starters and Compare it.

[Hogger60]

You are right, the LCC model that Air Asia X is running is almost strictly about O&D passengers. The do some connections with Air Asia, but do not interline (as it adds costs). Most passengers do self-connection if they want to connect to a thru-destination.

[Hogger60]

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btlogo.gif (http://www.btimes.com.my/)
MAS may cut Sydney frequency

By Presenna Nambiar
[email protected]
2012/01/11

ON the back of recently announced additional frequencies to several destinations in Asean, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) may be announcing that it will cut one of its flights to Sydney.

According to sources, MAS, which flies direct to Sydney twice a day now, is expected to reduce its frequency to one flight a day to the benefit of long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X.

MAS flies once in the morning at 9am using a Boeing 777-200 and again at 10.40pm with a Boeing 747-400.

People in the know said that one of the slots will instead be used by AirAsia X to fly into Sydney, a much sought-after route by the airline.

MAS neither confirmed nor denied the news, preferring to take a neutral stance.

"The national carrier's remaining network is continuously being reviewed and necessary measures are being taken to ensure the routes are operated profitably. Malaysia Airlines will make the necessary announcements if there are further updates on the network review," the airline told Business Times via e-mail.

According to the Register of Available Capacity for Australian International Airlines, from March 2009 Malaysia is allowed 29,100 seats each way each week to and from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

It could not be immediately determined if the number of seats allowed is total capacity of the four destinations.

MAS' current flights into Sydney would account for less than 9,000 seats to and from the city weekly.

The registry entry was last amended on December 11 2008.

It is understood that AirAsia X has been given the green light from the local Transport Ministry to start flights to Sydney in April this year.

The carrier, however, has denied this.
If MAS bends over for Air Asia X on this market, they might as well just turn over the keys to Tony and close the doors behind them. This has consistently been their most profitable route, and now they want to give it away?

[PoppaJo]

Air Asia already have a deal in place with Sydney Airport, they have a morning slot sitting there, getting approval is their problem.

More surprised that MH isn't 3/4 daily into SYD by now....

[nostep]

Just heard that MAS is shutting down Auckland base, hmmmmm flights always full.

I wonder if Auckland is going to be Air Asia X next new route as christchurch isn't making any money!!!!!!!!

[scandicstar]

Well, it is confirmed AAX cannot make money on those 4 routes. In lieu they are taking 10x MH flts to DXB so they make it nice by saying they are offering to MH those routes. SYD is next and as all the other full load MH dest up for the grab simply say MH cannot make money.
I do not know of any other govts in the 3rd or 4th world practice this appalling parasitic behaviour.
If the ruling govt wins this up and coming general election. in the next 2 or 3 months.......Malaysia Airlines can kiss and say goodbye.

[jetjockey696]

Wuhoooooooo... my BAN sentence is over.... :ok:

I think HOGGer60... is right..back not just yet... Mr Hogger60... we need to make believe that MAS/Firefly/ Mas wing. is going down the drain.. dont making money etc.. give it a few month.. typical Malaysian way.. someone will get caught embezzling etc.. . somehow due to miss management:E who fault of letting go of prime routes, stopping routes with full passengers load etc...hmmmm thennnnnnnnn some screaming from government...heads chopped, at which point MAS in deep caca. NEeds financial assistance to pay for new planes etc.. here comes GOD tony. with his bags of money from his financiers buy MAS..(Oops - help MAS) BUt comes with a price. TOny wants only 49%.. but in reality he and his Buddies owns all... Winner takes all...no one does it better..than MEEEEEEEEEEEE:E

BTW If anyone have noticed.. there is only two airlines in malaysia for many years. Many have tried to set up an passenger airline..to more competition all have failure to even take off.. even with one of the King's son backing... strange.. the newest is Eagle Express.. even that is having problems. the partnership of Berjaya Air and Lion Air has been dissolved because of someone want the money making Medan routes..:= NO medan no partnership.:=

If you want to set up an airline in malaysia... make sure it CARGO.. everything else. the MAFIA will pay you a visit... NOOOOOOOOOOO cant do..lah. this MAFIA, you dont get to wear concrete shoes... you get to visit a plantation field with grenade...ask the mongolian model a few years back..;)

In a way..MAS can make money.. if you sack(fire) Remove BUT NOT reassign..to another position:=.... the excess management staff in MAS..I never seen so many Managers in a organsation... nearly everyone is appointed manager or supervisor. but not many workers. HMmm:ugh: so All these self or friend appointed manager and supervisor never do anything except gossip..a bunch of old ladies, all grumpy and have no life outside MAS:( Mr Trump... "YOU ARE FIRED!!!!!:mad:"

Malaysian People please take you head out of the sand (sila mengambil kepala anda daripada pasir ... realiti muka). before its too late. If you are so in denial or too lazy to do anything.. let Air Asia take over. Save Face..

This situation is not good for the country.:=

[Hogger60]

AirAsia X to start KL-Sydney route

By B.K. SIDHU


It’s finalising whether to exit from Indian, European and Christchurch services PETALING JAYA: AirAsia X (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=AirAsia%20X) (AAX) seems all set to start ticket sales for the much-awaited KL-Sydney route next week and will begin mounting flights to the Australian city by April this year, way ahead of rival Scoot.
The airline is also said to be in the final stages of rationalising its route network where it would cut some routes which it deemed to be unprofitable and add Sydney and some routes to China (provided it can get slots there) to its network.
“We want to do that (Sydney) well ahead of the competition,'' said a senior official of the airline group.
Scoot is Singapore Airlines' long-haul low-cost carrier that has named Sydney as the first city of call out of Singapore and plans to begin flying the route by mid-year.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2012/1/12/business/b_pg04airasiax.jpg Competitive: AirAsia X offers reasonable rates for its Melbourne, Perth and Gold Coast flights/
The official declined to elaborate, but market has it that AAX will begin selling tickets for the sector next Tuesday and a team is planning to launch the sales from Sydney.
The first flight is slated to take off on April 1. However, all is subject to its internal planning, though the airline may be looking at daily flights for the KL-Sydney sector.
This puts an end to the near three-year wait and a bitter fight with Malaysia Airlines (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=Malaysia%20Airlines) (MAS) over the route. MAS had previously lobbied against competition and the national carrier is still the only airline serving the KL-Sydney route after Jetstar withdrew from the sector in 2009.
This sharing of routes has been made possible after a share-swap agreement between AAX's sister company AirAsia (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=AirAsia) and MAS on Aug 8 last year and both will collaborate rather than compete.
Currently, MAS flies twice daily from KL to Sydney and whether MAS will reduce the frequency to once daily and make way for AAX to take on the other slot is unclear.
“Choices and reasonable fares are what a traveller wants. But the biggest fear for travellers over the collaboration is the lack of competition and that is seen by the fare pricing for the Dehli/Mumbai sectors where the fares offered by AAX are somewhat close to that offered by MAS,'' said an industry source.
To be fair, AAX does offer reasonable rates for its Melbourne, Perth and Gold Coast flights and if the booking is made in advance, the savings can be up to 40% of the full-service fares. The airline is currently offering a 20% discount on its base fares for all its routes for a limited period.
Asked on the strategy for the KL-Sydney route, the official said:“We would offer lots of low fares and as we are already well known in Australia it should be (fairly easy to fill up our aircraft).''
Interestingly, those in the know claim that AAX is close to finalising details on whether to exit from the Indian (New Dehli, Mumbai), European (London and Paris) and Christchurch routes.
Sources said both MAS and AAX had had several meetings over the matter so that MAS could take over all the slots from AAX for the routes and carry AAX passengers that have booked seats with the airline.
The date for axing the route is said to be as early as February. AAX has, however, repeatedly said that “no decision on routes, whether to add new ones or cancel new ones'' had been made.
But those in the know claim that “all this adding and axing of routes is part of the understanding under the collaboration.'' Looking from the collaboration perspective, moving out of the European/India/Christchurch routes is seen as a compromise to get Sydney and some China routes.
MAS CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=Ahmad%20Jauhari%20Yahya) in his executive summary of his business plan said that “we are close to finalising a connecting-service that will enable passengers on either airline to seamlessly connect between carriers and non-overlapping routes.”
Separately on Tuesday, AirAsia boss Tan Sri Tony Fernandes (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=Tan%20Sri%20Tony%20Fernandes) tweeted: “With all that's going on, we will need to get more planes. I will be speaking to the board. The growth in the low-cost arena is very exciting.''
Last Friday he was quoted in Paris as saying: “AirAsia will consider buying up to 25 Airbus A320 aircraft. Our growth will probably exceed the aircraft that we have right now, and the initial public offerings of AirAsia's units in Thailand and Indonesia will give us the ability to probably take more aircraft.''



JetJockey, I couldn't agree more. This is the latest in the saga. Looks like Tony is getting everything he wanted. This is reminding me more and more of Frank Lorenzo and what happened at Eastern Airlines in the 1980's, when Continental came in and took all the good parts of Eastern (reservation system, prime routes, etc), then left a hollowed out shell. Sad, so sad.

[QNH1013]

AirAsia X Re-Aligns Network

Dear fans, please be informed that due to soaring taxes and higher jet fuel prices, AirAsia X is re-aligning its network to focus on core markets and will be withdrawing services to India (Mumbai and New Delhi) and Europe (Paris and London) from our Kuala Lumpur hub as follows:

• Mumbai- Four weekly services will be suspended with the last flight on 31 January, 2012
• New Delhi- Daily services will be suspended with the last flight on 22 March, 2012. Flights in March will be reduced to four weekly services.
• London- Six weekly services will be suspended with the last flight on 31 March, 2012
• Paris- Four weekly services will be suspended with the last flight on 30 March, 2012

All Guests who hold bookings after these dates will be offered an alternative travel option at no additional cost to mitigate the inconvenience caused as a result of these route withdrawals. An e-mail stating options that are available will be send, including a full refund, a reroute to another AirAsia X destination (e.g, in Australia and North Asia), or a move to an alternative carrier where available.

AirAsia X will concentrate capacity in our core markets of Australasia, China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Announcements of our future expansions plans will be made soon.

[Amitabh Belacan]

Some devilish scalliwag must have whispered " some " bright ideas into the fat bangla's left ear to do MAS in. Some one opined to me over teh halia and sup tulang; some ex-MAS scumbags has the fat bangla's ears for some grandiose plans. Someone forwarned MAS guys about 3 years back about the woes that could befall MAS if this scumbag gets back into MAS or AK/AAX...this is coming true:{:{:{

[Kal Niranjan]

MAS is slowly but surely being stripped to prop up the " smoke and mirror " operations known as AAX/AK.

For MAS pilots be prepared for the abolishment of the MOU thingy, go MAPAless and start afresh with new T & Cs just like those of AK/AAX. Mark my words.

[Hogger60]

Already going to happen to the narrow-body guys in the next few months. They will all be pushed over to a separate non-union entity run by the FireFly 737 management. No MAPA, new work rules, but hopefully higher 'Firefly' 737 pay. The ex FireFly jet pilots are already flying FireFly aircraft, now painted in MAS colors, wearing MAS uniforms, doing MAS routes, using MAS callsigns, but without MAPA.

[babasinkeh]

Sigh, forewarning MAS guys is like barking up a dead pole. These fellas live a life of denial under a shell, thanks to years of indoctrination by the ruling regime's mass media and the f**k up education system.

MAPA...a lost cause. Heard of the NFC cowgate fiasco? The utter stupidity of the whole saga and the blatant abuse of power and privileges. MAPA...just think of the utter abuse of privilege; just last year the MAPA prez and the ex DFO went for the A380 course well ahead of others just to beat the age 52 restrictions, well well before the aircraft are to be delivered. They will then go for recurrent simulators, free " holiday " trips and junkets without doing anything productive. Pilots senior to them who were below 52 then sit out only to miss the A380 courses later as they become overaged.:ugh::{ What a f**king scam, what utter ****! Exactly the modus operadi which will make lato g-string proud!

[ipohmali]

Someone forwarned MAS guys about 3 years back about the woes that could befall MAS if this scumbag gets back into MAS or AK/AAX...this is coming true

Very true, just look at those post from the tragic hijack of MH653 thread( post 201 ) from the " Hijacked MAS flight MH 653 on 4th December 1977 " thread -



[QUOTE][
The things you hear on the greens
Hi colleagues in AK and MAS, you must count your blessings.....got a word from Human Resources that the snake is putting feelers for a comeback now that his Korean contract is not gonna be renewed. So fella, you are forewarned. The father / son snake team is surely bad news if he sets foot again in your rice bowl!
/QUOTE]

Well, looks like bad news if he does weasel himself into AK or MAS. Most likely his fellow reptilian cohoot rat will slot him into firefly. Woe to you fireflies if you let him rise up in your ranks!


He has weaseled into AAX and is brown nosing the fat bangla with all these clever schemes. :suspect::suspect::suspect:

[scandicstar]

Thousand apology AAX cannot make money, all passengers will fly on MAS instead...we have new slave in the air to serve all the Bolehlanders.

[Teg Bahadur]

Wherever the slithery ones go, there sure to be venomous fall out all around. You were forewarned but you guys choose to do nothing. You all are just **** scared of this lato ship thingy. Come on, f**k those latos the scums and scourge of our land.

The country went down the drain because the rakyat had been tamed by years of opiate laden indoctrination aka ketuanism..see no evil, hear no evi, say no evil but get shafted by the evil incarnates. Likewise this MAS/AK fiasco. Time for RESISTANCE!!!!

[bakutteh]

Bad news and more bad news!

The sad news, one of our highly respected colleague Captain Tang Khai Cheong passed on last week. What a loss for all the decent folks in our national carrier...RIP my dear friend. You are in Good Hands!

[gerago]

the MAPA prez and the ex DFO went for the A380 course well ahead of others just to beat the age 52 restrictions, well well before the aircraft are to be delivered. They will then go for recurrent simulators, free " holiday " trips and junkets without doing anything productive. Pilots senior to them who were below 52 then sit out only to miss the A380 courses later as they become overaged.:ugh:http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/boohoo.gif What a f**king scam, what utter ****! Exactly the modus operadi which will make lato g-string proud

Have these people no shame?

Why do they undermine the dignity of MAPA in particular and MAS pilots at large with such shenanigans?

What is so great about flying the lumbering highly polluting B744 and the unwieldy dugong?

What is wrong with the mentality of MAS pilots holding responsible posts in MAPA and Flight Ops?

The story about lato gur gstring misappropriating a retiree's MAPA membership number just be seen as a long time loyal MAPA member...is it true? If so, it is soooooooooo lowwwwwww that I just cannot fathom his rationale for it!:ugh::ugh::ugh:

[jetjockey696]

Dont worry customers... these routes will be given to MAS.. these routes didnt have the golden cream that Air asia X wanted. So let off load the sub standard cream routes to MAS.. Further down the rectum MAS will go.
Thats why there is so many routes exchanged.. between MAS and airasia. :ugh:

The Malaysia government really dont care. who is the National carrier.. Air Asia or malaysia airlines.. as long the datuks and datin, and all the government officals get they pound of meat.

OR the malaysia government is tired and given up with malaysia airlines with all there antics.. government has wash there hands..:{ let tony soaked up all the excess fat.. :p


Anyway the least... on flight global..



By: Siva Govindasamy Singapore PRo News



Malaysian long-haul low-cost carrier AirAsia X is suspending its services to London Gatwick and Paris Orly, as well as its flights to Mumbai and New Delhi.

"These changes will improve operating cost efficiencies and consolidate [AirAsia X's] network to focus on markets where it can build a leadership position in 2012," said short-haul low-cost carrier AirAsia's associate in a statement.

It plans to focus on its "core markets" in Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, and open up new services and add frequencies on existing ones, it added.

"AirAsia X remains focused on maintaining its global leadership position in the low cost, long-haul segment," said the airline's CEO Azran Osman-Rani in a statement.

"The continued high jet fuel prices and the weakening demand for air travel from Europe, brought about by the current economic situation together with exorbitant government taxes, have placed cost pressures on operating long-haul low-cost flights between Asia and Europe, compromising our ability to offer the low fares AirAsia X is known for."

He added that the implementation of the European Union's Emissions Trading System and the escalating Air Passenger Duty taxes in the UK, which are set to rise again in April, forced the airline's hand.

Visa restrictions for travel between India and Malaysia, and the increase in airport and handling charges in India, resulted in a "structure not conducive to the low-cost model", he added. The airline could reinstate the Mumbai and New Delhi services when these issues are resolved, he said.

AirAsia X's four-times weekly Kuala Lumpur-Mumbai services will be suspended on 31 January, the daily service to New Delhi will be reduced to four-times weekly in March and suspended from 22 March, the six-times weekly London service will be suspended on 31 March, and the four-times weekly Mumbai service on 30 March.

[potteroomore]

The sad news, one of our highly respected colleague Captain Tang Khai Cheong passed on last week. What a loss for all the decent folks in our national carrier...RIP my dear friend. You are in Good Hands!

So sorry to hear of the news of the passing of this fine gentleman. He and the other bloke, dynamite, made our flying in MAS a really enjoyable and great learning experience. Learnt quite a bit from these few chaps who were very open minded and free with their opinions and suggestions. I pray that Captain Tang rest in blissful peace and serenity.

I am truly sad to see the rampant corruption that were part and parcel of the Malaysian government machinery finally bringing MAS to its present quandry. The 5 years I spent there, I observed with a heavy heart how the great pilots got marginalised; some of them bypassed for upgrades by those with dirty hands and black hearts.

[nasree]

the MAPA prez and the ex DFO went for the A380 course well ahead of others just to beat the age 52 restrictions, well well before the aircraft are to be delivered. They will then go for recurrent simulators, free " holiday " trips and junkets without doing anything productive. Pilots senior to them who were below 52 then sit out only to miss the A380 courses later as they become overaged.:ugh:http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/boohoo.gif What a f**king scam, what utter ****! Exactly the modus operadi which will make lato g-string proud

And Asburn missed by only ONE day! Amazing.

For Capt. KC Tang.........thoughts and heartfelt sympathies for the bereaved family. Know that we all hold him in high regard.

[Hogger60]

More BS from the gov't.

Kong: ‘No objection’ to AirAsia X’s KL-Sydney route


By LEONG HUNG YEE SEPANG: The Transport Ministry has neither confirmed nor denied AirAsia X (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=AirAsia%20X)'s plan to fly the KL-Sydney route.
Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=Datuk%20Seri%20Kong%20Cho%20Ha) said that the ministry was not trying to prevent any airlines from flying to a new destination or stopping flights to certain destinations.
“We have no objection to AirAsia X (on KL-Sydney route) or any local airlines.
“Airlines apply for new or additional flights all the time. And sometimes they also cut down and put certain stop. It is the dynamics of their operation. So it is nothing new,” he said at a ceremony to welcome Emirates Airlines' A380 from Dubai.
StarBiz reported yesterday that AirAsia X was ready to sell tickets for the much-awaited KL-Sydney route next week and will begin mounting flights to Sydney by April this year.
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=Malaysia%20Airlines%20%28MAS%29) is still the only carrier serving the KL-Sydney route after Jetstar withdrew from the sector in 2009.
Asked if the rights for KL-Sydney were from MAS, Kong said it was “not true”, without elaborating.
“They may be flying soon. It is for them to arrange,” he said, when asked if it was just a matter of time before AirAsia X flew the KL-Sydney route.
Meanwhile, AirAsia X announced yesterday the withdrawal of services to India (Mumbai and New Delhi) and Europe (Paris and London) from its Kuala Lumpur hub, as part of a network realignment.
Separately, Emirates senior vice-president, commercial operations for Far East and Australasia, Richard Jewsbury expects traffic demand for KL-Dubai to remain high.
He said that Emirates currently had an average seat factor of about 80% on its flight from KL and was confident of filling up its jumbo jet.
Jewsbury said the decision to operate one of the non-stop services with the A380 followed strong and increasing demand for flights, not just from business travellers but also from leisure travellers.

[scandicstar]

Well said and done this TF thingy is always in focus of where the market is. One day in Europe, next day in Down under and next day North Asia. He will just grab and exchange whatever he likes from MAS.
Remember those days when the older brother will always try to exchange his worn off toys with his younger brother when the parents bought new toys for the younger one.
When one do not have the shame and guilty conscious within.........I feel the tapeworm in the stomach is more honorable...at least it will stay there for good.

When things are done unethically,illogically, immorally, inhumanely god punishments will follow soon.

When they have 175 A320s ordered, 300+ on order , things will definitely will be out of control. Just like a guy spending on his credit cards and paying minimum amount every months and the cycle goes on and on. It will come a day when he cant honour even the minimum paymen. tCollapse will follow. The world s economy is slowly going into a spin with US still not recovered, Euro zones and Japan recessing. Australia has been enjoying its dollars for an extra too long..just too long. It will just take something unthinkable to happen and the world is not prepared.
In my 2 rupee opinion, I ll give AAX 2 years before they AXE Sydney for good.

[Hogger60]

More BS from TF...

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/css/images/tmilogo.png
Business


Axing routes a purely business decision, says AirAsia boss

Jan 14, 2012
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/logomix2/airasia.jpg.gifKUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 — AirAsia boss Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said today the move by AirAsia X to suspend four of its loss-making international routes is a purely business decision and must be viewed positively.
He said claims that the move was to accommodate and establish a business strategy with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) were untrue and “irritating”.
AirAsia’s sister company recently decided to drop the Kuala Lumpur-Mumbai, New Delhi, Paris and London routes.
“Azran Osman Rani (AirAsia X’s CEO) made a business decision. We were the first to introduce a low-cost long-haul airline model and now the Singaporeans are following suit,” Fernandes, who is co-founder and chief executive officer of AirAsia, was quoted by Bernama as saying.
“In this case, he (Azran) discovered that the best profitability is to have between four to eight hour (routes), with one type of engine and aircraft, which is the Airbus 330.
“So, this has nothing to do with MAS or AirAsia. On the flip side, Malaysia Airlines CEO Ahmad Jauhari is hearing that the routes suspension is to accommodate AirAsia,” Fernandes was quoted as saying.
He also that it was good that MAS and AirAsia could collaborate in certain areas, but wrong to say this would destroy competition.
On another note, he said AirAsia had made a positive start to the year, with January sales expected to be a record compared to the corresponding month in previous years.
“I think we will have a record January. I was looking at the tremendous sales coming from the North Asian region and was very delighted with the level of demand.
“We will continue to grow every year. Last year, we recorded 32 million passengers, an increase from 2010.
“Thus, I am bullish on the growth of AirAsia this year and in fact for the next 10 years,” Bernama quoted Fernandes as saying.
He also said the future for AirAsia looked very good.
“It’s up to us to keep our costs down, make airports play a part as it is critical to the growth of an airline, and keep fares down.
“We cannot grow if we increase our fares. In fact it is against my philosophy.”

[Mat Kilau]

Ipoh Ali, much as I would like to ignore the shenanigans perpetrated by that scumbag Lato g-string I cannot but help wondering at the bad things that keeps befalling any place he stepped in. In Mapa he f&&ked it big time planting the rot that plague us with subsequent Mapa presidents emulating his disgraceful behavior. In Jet Airways he was booted out for scandalous behavior. In KAL he tried his tricks trying to get some his former juniors into trouble; despite his arse-licking he was dumped. In al wafer he f&&ked up and now in AK/AAX he is up to mischief in some ways again. Time to smash this pariah piece of **** like squashed bug so that we don't have to bear the brunt of his mischiefs ever again!:*:*:*

[lembujaga]

just last year the MAPA prez and the ex DFO went for the A380 course well ahead of others just to beat the age 52 restrictions, well well before the aircraft are to be delivered. They will then go for recurrent simulators, free " holiday " trips and junkets without doing anything productive.


What a f**king scam, what utter ****! Exactly the modus operadi which will make lato g-string proud

In Mapa he f&&ked it big time planting the rot that plague us with subsequent Mapa presidents emulating his disgraceful behavior

MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO! Apa pantat pun boleh, takkan Melayu tak boleh!

[Hogger60]

Pull the 340's out of Europe and fly them to Sydney. Tony's plan all along. Don't think that was going to happen if MAS/Air Asia didn't shake hands and make nice back last summer, as MAS has fought this for years. Another nail in the coffin.

AirAsia X launches KL-Sydney route, inaugural fare RM199


SYDNEY: AirAsia X (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=AirAsia%20X), which launched its Kuala Lumpur-Sydney direct flight today, is already looking at Adelaide as the next city for its expansion in Australia.
AirAsia X Chief Executive Officer, Azran Osman-Rani said talks on this are only at the preliminary stage and it will not happen this year but in 2013.
He was speaking to Malaysian journalists following the launch of the airline's Kuala Lumpur-Sydney route at the Museum of Contemporary Art Centre here.
The inaugural Kuala Lumpur-Sydney flight, which takes off on April 1, will be offered at a one-way fare of RM199.
This is the lowest fare ever offered to this city by air from the Malaysian capital.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2012/1/17/business/latestairasia.JPG AirAsia Group CEO, Tony Fernandes (C) AirAsia Group Deputy CEO, Kamarudin Meranun (L) and AirAsia -X CEO, Azran Osman-Rani cutting the cake during AirAsia's 10th Anniversary at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang outside Kuala Lumpur on 08 December 2011. AirAsia grew from two aircraft and three destinations in December 2001 to 107 aircraft with over 80 destinations across 24 countries. Filepic EPA
Fares for Australians flying into Kuala Lumpur will start from A$99.
Azran said the low-cost long-haul airline expects to see a revenue of RM16 million in its first year of operations into the Kuala Lumpur-Sydney route.
He also reiterated that while there was much speculation on the reasons for AirAsia X to recently suspend flights to four cities, namely Paris, London, New Delhi and Mumbai, it was purely a business decision.
Despite passenger traffic being high, the high fuel cost, introduction of a carbon tax in Europe (effective) and tax issues in India, were really the reasons for the pullout, he said.
Azran also said the withdrawal from the four cities had nothing to do with its collaboration with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=Malaysia%20Airlines%20%28MAS%29).
The review of the sectors had started in 2010 and even before AirAsia (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=AirAsia)'s collaboration with MAS.
"This was really an Air Asia (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=Air%20Asia) X decision. We decided that rather than go into many markets and stretch ourselves thin, we would focus on the core markets, where potential for growth was high.
"There are immense opportunities in the Asia Pacific. The strategy is for few countries, multiple cities and economies of scale. We are looking at Australia, Japan, China, Taiwan, and also Tehran," he said.
On whether AirAsia X would still be competing with MAS, Azran said that would be the case as with all the cities it was flying to.
AirAsia X currently flies to the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth in Australia.
However, he said it is clear that the workable model for MAS, is in it being a premier airline offering premier products and services, and its real competitor would be other premier airlines.
Meanwhile, the AirAsia X Kuala Lumpur-Sydney flight has been lauded as a significant development for both the Australian and Malaysian tourism industries.
Sandra Chipchase, the Chief Executive Officer of Destination NSW (New South Wales), said the new service would eventually generate around 55,000 more international visitors to the state annually.
She also said at the end of September last year, NSW welcomed 46,000 visitors from Malaysia.
"Visitor expenditure to NSW from Malaysia totalled A$142 million, an increase of over 75 per cent from the previously," she added.
Chipchase said the new AirAsia X service is expected to increase this income further. - BERNAMA

[Hogger60]

Of course MAS wouldn't move to do anything to compete with Tony's baby. I would not at all be surprised to see MAS cut service to Sydney, saying they were losing money on the route due to increased competition. Really sad.

Hot response to AirAsia X’s Sydney route

By B.K. SIDHU


PETALING JAYA: Over six thousand seats have been sold on the KL-Sydney-KL route just two hours after AirAsia X (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=AirAsia%20X) opened the sector for bookings yesterday. “The demand is just too strong and the system (appears) almost crashing,'' AirAsia X chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=Azran%20Osman-Rani) said in a text message from Sydney yesterday.
It has not been easy for AirAsia X to get Sydney in the first place. It took over three years of serious lobbying to get this route as its once rival but now partner, Malaysia Airlines (http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=Malaysia%20Airlines) (MAS), was against opening up the sector to competition.
Now that the sector is opened, it is surprising that players like MAS and even Jetstar have not dropped fares yet as that was what market observers had expected.
MAS operates direct services while Jetstar offers a connection to Sydney via Singapore.
A check done on MAS website revealed that its lowest one-way fare on the route is RM729 for early April while Jetstar's is RM1,221 for the KL-Singapore-Sydney-Singapore-KL connection.
The real reason AirAsia X is rushing to get flying into Sydney after obtaining all the necessary approvals is because a new low-cost long-haul airline, Scoot, will be taking to the skies mid-year.
“It's the first mover advantage strategy and they want to get into the market ahead of competition from Scoot and that is when the real fight begins,'' says a industry observer. Scoot is Singapore Airline's low-cost long-haul carrier that has chosen Sydney as its first flight out of the republic.
Yesterday, AirAsia X launched the KL-Sydney-KL route with a promotional fare one-way of RM199 for flights till end-June. It will begin flights there on April 1 on a daily frequency, confirming a StarBiz report.
Sydney is fourth destination for AirAsia X to Australia after Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth. Its next stop, according to Azran, is Adelaide.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that AirAsia X would put off a US$200mil Islamic bond issue planned for March by at least 12 months after the airline abandoned routes from Kuala Lumpur to London, Paris, Mumbai and New Delhi.
It would put off the issue from until 2013, Azran said at an event in Sydney yesterday. The funds were originally intended to purchase two planes flying the London and Paris routes.
“We are putting that particular bond issuance on the slow burner,” he said.
“We do have planes that will be delivered in 2013 so we may simply shift the facilities to 2013 when we take delivery.”
AirAsia X announced last Thursday that it was cutting its flights to Europe, citing the cost of complying with the European Union's emissions trading system and rising taxes.

[Diz]

this is a very sad thing to happen to MAS.

[AXELYUDIST]

These 3 Reasons AirAsia Stops Flying to Europe
Tue, 2012-01-17 16:08


Beginning in late March 2012 are no longer coming AirAsia flies to London and Paris. Cheap fare flights to Kuala Lumpur to Europe via it stopped. There are three things that are the cause. What?

"Oil prices are increasing and tax increases in Europe," said AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman Rani in a meeting with reporters in Sydney on Tuesday (17/01/2012).

Oil prices continue to soar and taxes go up high enough at the airport in Europe since January is a major reason halt AirAsia flight to Europe.

One other reason is because of the crisis in Europe. Passengers who fly from Europe to Asia is reduced drastically. "Since last December, passengers from Europe to decline," he explained.

But Azran admit, if the number of passengers from Southeast Asia to Europe always meet the target.

"If there are other airlines that are able to serve with low cost, we wish you good luck," he explained.

Indeed the plan, starting 30 or 31 March 2012 from Malaysian airline is going to stop its flights to Europe.

Azran said AirAsia will likely open more routes to Europe in 2017 to come. This was done after getting the AirAsia Airbus aircraft orders that could save fuel costs by 20%.

[Hogger60]

Bottom line is that AAX felt they had to beat Scoot to Sydney, and the only aircraft they have that can make the flight was busy flying to Europe, so they closed down shop there and will be headed down to Sydney. Since Tony has already bought off MAS who had blocked their entry into the market, he got what he wanted and will be flying into Sydney about 6-8 weeks ahead of Scoot. Now we just have to wait for MAS to announce that due to competition, they can no longer make money with two flights a day to KUL-SYD, so they will reduce it to one, thus reducing competition even more, which is exactly what Tony planned all along. Sad, really sad.

[jetjockey696]

"due to competition and fuel, we are not making money on this route" it feel deja vu. famous and only sentence that these brother and sister company use these days.

come on commercial dept... come on kathleen tan i know you can spin this better.

We need a new a sentence for the chinese new year to sum what is really happening...

By the way congrats for the flight crew getting 3 months bonus.. and flight attendants 1 month...

[tarmaruddeen]

I am definitely coming around to the contention that the general apathy of the Malaysian public and MAS people in particular is really emboldening TF and his crooks to do all this. MAS pilots are to be seen as leaders and movers, but sadly we are reduced to glorified, sheepish coolies.

[jetjockey696]

Australian Regulator Files Lawsuit Against AirAsia.......24/01/2012

AirAsia was on Tuesday slapped with a lawsuit by Australian regulators accusing the Asian budget carrier of failing to disclose the full price of fares on its Web site.

The Malaysia-based airline, which flies international services out of Australia from the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth, with Sydney to be added from April, was named in documents lodged at the Federal Court in Melbourne.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the country’s consumer watchdog, claims some fares sold on AirAsia’s Web site do not display prices inclusive of all taxes, duties, fees and other charges.

“Businesses that choose to advertise a part of the price of a particular product or service must also prominently specify a single total price,” it said in a media release.

The regulator alleged the fares relate to flights from Melbourne to cities including London, New Delhi, and Hangzhou in China, from the Gold Coast to Ho Chi Minh City and from Perth to places such as Taipei and Phuket in Thailand.

The matter is listed to be heard on March 2 with the watchdog seeking an injunction “to restrain AirAsia from engaging in misleading conduct in the future”.

It also wants a court order “that AirAsia publish corrective notices on its websites regarding the conduct”.

AirAsia could not immediately be reached for comment.

Agence France-Presse

[squarecrow]

Are you sure about the 3months Jet Jockey cos AA only get 1.5 months max.

[Blackdollie]

Yea,1.5months...where's the 3 months? :ouch:

[scandicstar]

I give AAX 2 years before they bend and snap on KUL-SYD-KUL routes. They are done on London Paris Bom sectors after 2 years stint. London Singapore Sydney routes, A380 rules.

[scandicstar]

Guess who? The world over know who this guy is.

[squarecrow]

Hey BS and Science rule the world. Get your hrs and get out,,,