Air Asia X (update)

[Brown1950 67]

Record oil prices have failed to deter plans for new budget flights from London to Kuala Lumpur.

 

Malaysia’s Air Asia X was this week in final talks with Stansted airport to launch the service, with fares from £350 return. A pre-Christmas launch had been hoped for, but the first of the six flights a week will now begin next year.

 

Air Asia X is part-owned by Sir Richard Branson and is a subsidiary of Air Asia, the region’s biggest budget airline.

 

“It is looking good, we are just finalising negotiations,” said Tony Fernandes, Air Asia’s chief executive. Mr Fernandes said that flights could start in March, adding that they would definitely commence by June next year. He blamed the delay on earlier difficulties in finding suitable aircraft for the new route.

 

Mr Fernandes plans to exploit the lack of competition to Kuala Lumpur, which is only served from Britain by Malaysia Airlines. He said he was not worried about soaring fuel costs, but admitted he had originally hoped to offer a £300 return fare.

 

Air Asia X is banking on appealing to business travellers to fill a front cabin of 58 premium economy seats to offset the lower-priced economy seats at the back of the aircraft. Both sets of passengers will have to pay for food, but there will be seat-back entertainment screens in both cabins.

[Chivas 0]

Assume that the £350 must be inclusive of taxes ???

 

If it isnt cannot be any of any financial use to Thailand bound pax, once you add KL to BKK on top.

[Gus 97]

Hoping to start by Christmas, could start by March, but likely to be June

We shall see, can only be good for UK guys though.

[glassdude007 7]

Edited August 5, 2008 by glassdude007