AirAsia: RM2,000 for one-way ticket ‘completely untrue’
AirAsia CEO Aireen Omar says there are also no hidden costs, as alleged by Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin.
Calling this “completely untrue”, AirAsia CEO Aireen Omar said the average one-way fare for AirAsia flights between Kuala Lumpur and Sandakan was RM213.
“Even during peak season, when AirAsia operates flights with 100% load factor, our highest fare was about RM1,180, which still remain the lowest in the market,” she said in a statement.
On Tuesday, Bung had lashed out at AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines, accusing them of having unsatisfactory and inadequate services to destinations in Sabah.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, he claimed that AirAsia rejected passengers even if they were only 10 minutes late and asked them to buy new tickets.
“This happened in front of my eyes. Many village people were crying because they did not have the money to buy new tickets,” he said.
Bung also alleged that AirAsia was focusing too much on charging “hidden costs” instead of operating as a low-cost carrier.
However, Aireen said there were no hidden costs, as Bung had claimed.
“AirAsia guests have the option of choosing how they want to fly and what products they wish to pay for, and all fees and charges are clearly stated on our website and mobile app,” she said.
“In the spirit of ‘concern for the welfare of the people’ as stated by the MP, we wish to invite him to review the differences in facilities and services between airport terminals in Malaysia and look into customer opinions and feedback.”
She said AirAsia practised an open policy and welcomed any MP who wished to work with the company to further develop and grow the tourism industry.
“We also invite them to meet us to have a constructive dialogue and give us an opportunity to explain our low cost business model and its contribution to the industry,” she said.
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