Surfers catch a break

BOSSES of one of the world’s biggest low-budget airlines will permanently scrap baggage fees for surfboards.

When on the Gold Coast in mid-March to unveil a partnership deal with the World Surf League pro tour, Air Asia group CEO and founder Tony Fernandes unveiled the idea of ditching surfboard baggage fees. At that stage an official statement said it would be from mid-March until May 13, the Sunday just gone.

But at celebrations in Bangkok this week to mark Air Asia reaching half a billion passengers, Mr Fernandes confirmed the policy would be long term with a big promotional campaign around it in the wings.

It officially went live on May 1, with Australians able to take advantage of it to and from surfing hotspots in India, Thailand, the Maldives, Japan and the Philippines.

Surfboards typically cost an extra $80 up to 15kg.

The freebie, limited to one board per passenger, also applies on Air Asia X’s daily return flight between the Gold Coast and Auckland.

Mr Fernandes said it was proving very successful: “It has been a fantastic experiment but we go to all the big surfing destinations like Hawaii, Bali, so it’s a logical fit.”

Air Asia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail said there had been a delay in enacting the policy permanently since first discussing it in March on the Gold Coast, but now it was live: “It was only sort of on the fly back then because we’ve been trying to systemise it within our organisation because we wanted to make sure people don’t take five or 10 surfboards.

“We wanted to make sure it was done properly and that is done so now we are marketing all the surf destinations.

“Give it time, we will do a huge campaign on this. We have to make sure we get the message across because all the surfers still can’t believe their board can go for free.”

Air Asia’s website says the waiving of surfboard baggage fees is “valid until further notice for all passengers who depart to and from Australia on point-to-point fly-through bookings made at AirAsia. com.”

Air Asia X head of commercial Barry Klipp said the surfboard freebie showed the airline’s “commitment to making low-cost travel a reality for Australians, in particular those who are surfing enthusiasts”.

Air Asia is further ramping up its strong Gold Coast connection, with Mr Ismail revealing the airline hopes to form some sort of sponsorship in future with the surf lifesaving movement and upcoming nippers.

Air Asia is also planning promotion of the coming Gold Coast Marathon.