Air Asia X Shelves Services to Europe and India
Malaysian long run budget airline AirAsia X has decided to end its services to Europe and India, citing sluggish demand and rising tariff of operations.
AirAsia X, a low cost carrier renowned for doling out cheap airfare tickets, has decided to cease its operations to London Gatwick and Paris in Europe and Delhi and Mumbai in India.
Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X said the move will assist the airline in emphasizing the carrier's core markets.
"AirAsia X remains centered on maintaining its global leadership position inside low cost, long-haul segment. We plan to concentrate capacity within our core markets of Australasia, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea where we've built up stable, profitable routes within an infrastructure that supports low cost services," Azran Osman-Rani said in the statement posted for the company's website.
"We plan to open up new routes within these markets, in addition to add frequencies on existing routes. Announcements individuals future expansion plans is going to be made soon," he continued.
AirAsia X will operate its final flight transfers from cancun airport to hotel Gatwick on March 31, while on the Paris-Kuala Lumpur route the very last flight will are powered by March 30. The final flight to Delhi will need off on 22 March and also the final plan to Mumbai will require place on 31 January. Also, the airline intends to trim down its daily services to Delhi to four in a week within the month of March.
Affected travellers will be offered alternative travel options at no additional cost.
Europe
AirAsia X said mounting taxes in Europe has made it highly hard for the budget carrier to help keep rolling out cheap flight tickets for its travellers. The Malaysian carrier also attributed the weakening European economy.
Azran Osman-Rani said in the statement: 'The continued high jet fuel prices as well as the weakening requirement for air travel from Europe, brought about by the current economy together with exorbitant government taxes, have placed cost pressures on operating long-haul affordable flights between Asia and Europe, compromising our capability to offer the low fares AirAsia X is known for.'
India
Visa restrictions between India and Malaysia, increase in costs at Delhi and Mumbai airports and baggage handling charges include the reasons which have caused your budget carrier to discontinue flights to India destinations.
'As for Delhi and Mumbai, the continued visa restrictions for travel between India and Malaysia, as well as the increase in airport and handling charges have resulted in a very structure not conducive towards the low-cost model,' Azran Osman-Rani said.
According to skilled professionals in India, the taking out of inexpensive carrier can hit tourism as a huge segment of Indian tourists look for book cheap tickets because of their holidays in Malaysia.