Taking to Twitter, the AirAsia Group chief executive officer responded to reports that the government will take action following a complaint by Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin that the low-cost carrier had charged a customer about RM2,000 for a one-way flight from Sandakan to Kuala Lumpur.
“Some MPs complain about AirAsia for 16 years. Yet before AirAsia there was so little connectivity between East and West Malaysia. Not even a KL-Sandakan flight,” Fernandes tweeted.
On Tuesday, Deputy Transport Minister Ab Aziz Kaprawi told the Dewan Rakyat that the government will act on Bung’s complaint that AirAsia had allegedly imposed higher fares during peak hours.
“I have discussed the issue with the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) to take the necessary action in order to prevent AirAsia from profiteering.
“They should not take advantage of peak hours to impose a higher fare, as it would impact a segment of the community,” Ab Aziz said.
Fernandes dismissed the comments by the deputy minister and his Umno colleague, comparing it with the lack of concern they have over increasing airport charges.
“Why don’t these same MPs complain about the 100% increase Malaysian airports charge poor first-time travellers,” he tweeted.
In a post on Facebook, Fernandes also commended three ministers for their support of the airline.
“Good to see three ministers travelling with us. Liow Tiong Lai, Idris Jusoh and Mah Siew Keong. You guys are great. Appreciate the photos and the compliments.
“Thanks for travelling with us. I am sure they were good fares. We have done so much for East Malaysia yet some MPs never stop complaining,” he said.
On Tuesday, Bung had claimed AirAsia was focusing too much on charging “hidden costs” instead of operating as a low-cost carrier true to the publicity it enjoyed.
He said the airline should rightfully consider the interests of its low-income customers.
He added that his comments were based on the experiences of Sabahans like himself who took flights in places like Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur.
He alleged that AirAsia rejected passengers even if they were only 10 minutes late and asked them to buy new tickets.
“This happened in front of my eyes. Many village people were crying because they did not have the money to buy new tickets,” Bung told the Dewan Rakyat.
https://www.facebook.com/tonyfernandes/posts/1180146892085147