AirAsia to remove processing fee in October

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Group Bhd will remove the processing fee for customers who pay either through online banking and credit card from October onwards.

“I’m pleased to announce that Airasia is removing processing fee from October. We still have some charges to drive traffic to cheaper, safer and less fraudless methods. But there will be methods with no fees,” group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said in his latest Twitter post.

I’m pleased to announce that @Airasia is removing processing fee from October. We still still have some charges to drive traffic to cheaper , safer and less fraudless methods. But there Will be methods with no fees. no more process#technologyrules #makingairfaresaffordable — Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) 30 July 2019

“We are constantly trying to lower fares. We have got rid of KLIA fee and now processing fee in October. We will find ways to cut cost so that passengers won’t suffer,” he said.

Fernandes also called on to position Malaysia as a low-cost hub as it was hard to fight Bangkok and Singapore in the full service area.

“Malaysian airports should really support their number customer in that dream. What do we need low cost airports and low airport tax.

“With that the country would benefit enormously. Lots of jobs and lots of tourists. And lots of medical tourism, conferences, regional offices set up,” he said.

He also cited Heathrow and Luton or Stansted airports as an example. He said: “If there was a need for interlining between the terminals we would be the first to request it. There is no need. LCC (low cost carrier) and full service are different business. Look at Singapore’s T4. See how many people use the interline.”

Look at Heathrow and Luton or stansted. No link at all. Focus on what the airline need. Low cost terminals. Stop finding excuses not charge higher and not build low cost terminals. — Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) 30 July 2019

“I have had three major battles since I joined aviation. We fought for 7 years for access to Singapore and finally got it and now more people flying between the two places,” Fernandes said.

He also lamented that they used have two low cost terminals in KL and Kota Kinabalu and the charges kept going up

“Malaysia Airport thinks building us a crew processing centre which really should have been built four years ago is support. We have a terrible airport to operate in, not low cost at all and exactly the opposite of what we asked for. Go figure,” Fernandes said.