AirAsia: Bung's RM2,000 ticket claim 'completely untrue'

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia has rebuted Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's claim that the low-cost carrier charged RM2,000 for a one-way flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan.

Describing the claim as "completely untrue", AirAsia Berhad chief executive officer Aireen Omar said the average one-way fare for AirAsia flights between Kuala Lumpur and Sandakan is actually RM213.

"Even during peak season, when AirAsia operates flights with 100% load factor, our highest fare was about RM1,180, which still remains the lowest in the market," she said in a statement yesterday.

Bung had told Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Nov 21) that the route costs “close to RM2,000” and questioned how the airline could win awards for several consecutive years.

But Aireen said there were no hidden charges imposed on the people as alleged by the lawmaker.

“AirAsia guests have the option of choosing how they want to fly and what products they wish to pay for, and all fees and charges are clearly stated on our website and mobile app,” she said.

Aireen also said if Bung was so concerned for the welfare of the people like he had said, AirAsia would like to invite him to review the differences in facilities and services between airport terminals in Malaysia and look into customer opinions and feedback.

“The rakyat in Sandakan are being forced to pay the same airport tax as travellers who use KLIA for far inferior services,” she said.

Bung's statement also did not sit well with AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tony Fernandes.

Fernandes tweeted on Wednesday (Nov 22), criticising the attitude of “some MPs” who complain about AirAsia despite everything it had done to service the people of Sabah and Sarawak.

“Some MPs complain about AirAsia for 16 years. Yet before AirAsia there was so little connectivity between East and West Malaysia. Not even a KLSandakan flight.

“Why don't these same MPs complain about the 100% percent increases (in) Malaysia's airport's charge for poor first-time travellers,” he said.