Malaysian Gov holding AirAsia X back from Sydney: CEO

AirAsia has claimed that it is lack of support from the Malaysian government which is holding it back from launching long-haul services into Sydney with its AirAsia X brand.

Azran Osman-Rani, AirAsia X CEO, has confirmed to e-Travel Blackboard that the only thing holding back from launching its direct services from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney was government approval from Malaysia.

Initially AirAsia X had planned to launch Sydney services in 2008, but continuous delays and red tape has seen the carrier opt to connect Perth, Melbourne and the Gold Coast first.

?It?s confirmed that there won?t be services before June [to Sydney] but that July is possible if AirAsia X is granted approvals by March,? said Mr Osman-Rani.

Reports from Malaysia are claiming that one of the key reasons why the government is dragging its feet is due to favouritism of the national carrier Malaysia Airlines, which the government wholly owns.

Sourced = The e Travel Blackboard