24 October 2012
AirAsia Bhd still wants Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to sign a service level agreement (SLA) — which will formally define the level of service the airport operator is to provide at klia2 — with it, even though the budget carrier has agreed to move to the new low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) in Sepang when it opens in May next year.
AirAsia CEO for Malaysia Aireen Omar said the carrier is currently in talks with MAHB on the details of the SLA.
"There will be a SLA, but it is still under discussion," she told reporters after the re-launch of its online store known as AirAsia Megastore here yesterday.
She confirmed that the carrier will be moving from the current main terminal to klia2 and is working together with MAHB to ensure klia2 meet its opening date of May 1, 2013. This follows AirAsia group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes‘ remarks on Monday that the carrier will operate out of the new terminal once it is ready.
The carrier also wants to open a corporate office at the new terminal and has submitted its plans to MAHB.
"We hope to build our AirAsia house there. It’s something that is important for us as a low-cost carrier to have our office close to the terminal where we work because it facilitates the low-cost operation," she said, adding that the relocation is expected to be done overnight.
On whether ticket prices would increase following the move, Aireen said much depends on demand and supply, the maturity of its routes and cost structure, and not solely on the move to klia2.
Last December, AirAsia had voiced concerns over possible hikes in airport and aeronautical charges such as office rentals, landing and parking fees by MAHB if it were to relocate its operations to klia2 and had wanted written assurance from MAHB that the charges remain at current levels.
Earlier, AirAsia re-launched its online store and announced a partnership with local cosmetics brand SimplySiti.
The revamped AirAsia Megastore offers enhanced features and provides a more personalised shopping experience. Products sold include AirAsia merchandise, cosmetics, perfumes, watches and electronic gadgets, which are available to customers in the US, Australia and Canada as well as Asean countries.
On the partnership with SimplySiti, the cosmetics brand founded by Malaysian songstress Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, will see a range of the products made available on AirAsia Megastore both online and in-flight.
"As an Asean company, we are always keen to promote local products and brands," said Aireen.
Source: www.thesundaily.my
Site Search
Did you find what you are looking for? Try out the enhanced Google Search: