AirAsia Returns to Europe, Slashes Fares
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AirAsia, the Malaysian low-cost airline, is returning to Europe this summer when it will add London and Frankfurt to its destinations.
The airline’s chief executive, Tony Fernandes, told German news agency DPA at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he planned to launch two new routes, from Kuala Lumpur to London and Bangkok to Frankfurt.
Tickets to Frankfurt will cost less than €200 ($214). “Honestly, I would like to offer them for even less. Because of the low oil prices, we could afford about €150,” Mr. Fernandes said. He’s keen to attract Europeans who want to go on holiday in Southeast Asia as well as Asians wanting to explore Europe: “We see this as a mutual market,” he said.
AirAsia is based near Kuala Lumpur and offered connections to London and Paris in the past but abandoned these in 2012 because planes were too small and energy prices too high.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific European cities will AirAsia be flying to this summer?
Which specific European cities will AirAsia be flying to this summer?
AirAsia plans to add London and Frankfurt to its list of destinations. The new routes will connect Kuala Lumpur to London and Bangkok to Frankfurt, according to the airline’s chief executive.
Q.What is the primary reason AirAsia previously stopped its European flights?
What is the primary reason AirAsia previously stopped its European flights?
AirAsia abandoned its connections to London and Paris in 2012 due to two main factors: the planes they were using were considered too small, and energy prices were excessively high at the time.
Q.What price is being offered for flights to Frankfurt, and how does this compare to the CEO's ideal price?
What price is being offered for flights to Frankfurt, and how does this compare to the CEO's ideal price?
Tickets to Frankfurt will cost less than €200 ($214). However, the chief executive, Tony Fernandes, stated that he would ideally like to offer them for about €150, primarily due to current low oil prices.
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