Thursday, November 27, 2008

AirAsia X Mideast Debut Realistically In 2010, Says CEO

LONDON, Nov 27 -- Malaysia's long-haul budget airline, AirAsia X, is eyeing two or three Middle East destinations, of which one will likely be the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said its chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani.

The UAE cities in contention are Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

"We're now talking to all these airports," he said, when met at the launch of AirAsia X's London Stansted-Kuala Lumpur service which is scheduled for take-off on March 11, 2009, with fares starting from 99 (1=RM5.48) each way.

According to Azran, Bahrain was another possibility.

"Realistically, Middle East will be in 2010," he said.

He said AirAsia X was also keen to start service to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah "but it is a very protected market".

Flights to the Middle East, he said, would be possible as AirAsia X was awaiting delivery of its 24 other A330 planes on order, the first having been delivered on Oct 31.

The remaining aircraft are slotted for delivery over the next five years.

Besides London, AirAsia X also flies to Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne and Hangzhou.

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