AirAsia X offers one million 'free' flights
Posted in NEWS by TheAge on Aug 28, 07:00AM
Despite tough times for airlines worldwide, low-cost carrier AirAsia X has announced the sale of one million Australia to Malaysia airfares for free - provided travellers pay the taxes and charges.
The sale means travellers could fly from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur for $182 one-way, from the Gold Coast for $171, or from Perth for $157.
AirAsia X announced last week it would begin operations in Melbourne from November 12. It also announced plans to introduce long-haul flights on the 'kangaroo route' - between Australia and London - in March next year.
AirAsia X's Australian general manager, Darren Wright, said the airline would benefit from the giveaway fares in the long run.
"There's goodwill and publicity, obviously, but it also gives people an opportunity to fly and try," he said. "If they like us, and they will like us, they'll fly with us again and perhaps tell their friends."
AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes recently said that his aim in Australia was both "to bring Australians to our hub in Kuala Lumpur so as to feed them into our Asian network and to send Asian tourists to Australia combining our network with AirAsia X".
"From next year, Australians will be able to go all the way to Britain using AirAsia X, through Kuala Lumpur. The route will also be popular with Europeans heading to Australia."
The deal is available until Sunday, August 31, for travel between April 1, 2009 and July 31, 2009.
Sale fares of this kind have dried up over the last six months, as airlines attempt to reduce spiralling fuel costs. Last year, the arrival of AirAsia X and Tiger Airways sparked an airfare war in Australia, with Jetstar and Virgin battling the newcomers by offering fares for as little as one cent.
By Craig Platt
- Currently 0/5 Stars.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Nike SB’s month of Oz web...
TheVine Live