AirAsia abolishes fuel surcharges for flights

SINGAPORE - Citing declining global oil prices, AirAsia announced on Monday that it will be abolishing fuel surcharges across all of its airlines.

In a statement, the low-cost carrier confirmed that fuel surcharges would also be abolished for its low-cost long haul affiliates AirAsia X, Thai AirAsia X and Indonesia AirAsia X.

AirAsia's Group Chief Executive Officer, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, said: "We are a high-value, low-fare airline, and we will continue to strive to make flying as affordable as possible."

AirAsia had previously abolished fuel surcharges for all its domestic and international flights in 2008, but was forced to re-introduce the surcharge into its fares in 2011 due to rocketing fuel prices then.

Mr Fernandes revealed that the decision to abolish the fuel surcharge had been made in Nov 2014, but was only able to be implemented now.

"The abolishment of fuel surcharge will further reduce travel costs and stimulate more demand for travel and tourism," he saidi, adding that this would also benefit the economy as a whole.

seanyap@sph.com.sg