AirAsia X Yet To See 50 Percent Landing Rebate

16 April 2009

KUALA LUMPUR-- AirAsia X is still waiting for implementation of the 50 percent rebate on landing charges as announced in the second economic stimulus package, chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani said today.

AirAsia X, an associate of AirAsia Bhd with shareholders such as the Virgin group and AirAsia, is a low-cost long-haul airline launched in January 2007.

"We are hopeful and waiting for any kind of notification," Azran said when asked if the airline was already benefiting from the rebate.

Any cost reduction will ultimately benefit the customers and more people will be encouraged to travel, he told Bernama here today.

Under the RM60 billion second stimulus package announced by the government last month, the rebate will be given for two years, effective April 1, 2009, to all airlines operating from Malaysia.

The move is mainly to attract more tourists, particularly from abroad, as part of the concerted efforts to encourage more airlines to operate from Malaysia.