After the launch of AirAsia’s Premium Flex fare service, AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes spoke to reporters and said that he thinks Philippine airport authorities are being “unfair” to them.
Fernandes was quoted as saying, “I don’t think AirAsia is being treated fairly.”
Fernandes went on to say that he believes “AirAsia is being “blocked” to prevent it from growing in the country.”
The ABS-CBNnews.com report noted: “For one, Fernandes said almost all of the airline’s flights are only allowed to operate at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4, or the old Manila Domestic Airport. Only Incheon and Jingjiang flights are allowed to operate at NAIA Terminal 3.”
But, Ferdnandes pointed out, “despite operating at the old airport, he said AirAsia still has to pay the same fees as those who operate in Terminal 3, which should clearly be not the case due to the different service that they get.”
He stated, “It is just not right. AirAsia and my Filipino partners have invested a fortune, and we are creating lots of jobs. Really, we are being treated third class. It’s not right. I feel very bad for my staff. I don’t mind operating in Terminal 4, but then charge us appropriately.”
The report added that “Fernandes also lamented the ‘unfair’ grounding of then Zest Air, now AirAsia Zest, by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) back in August last year due to various safety violations.”
Fernandes things the suspension was due to pressure from the so-called “big airlines” in the country, whom he things are already “terrified” of AirAsia’s potential.
It’s worth nothing, though, that passengers have complained of AirAsia’s planes being literally “too hot.”
READ: Passengers complain about ‘hot’ planes
Photo from the AirAsia Facebook page
