Ernest Zacharevic said AirAsia did not seek his permission to use the “Children on a Bicycle” artwork, adding that it was not the first time that the airline had used his pieces without his consent, The Straits Times reported.

“I first noticed it on my friend’s Instagram story and then I saw it myself at the Penang International Airport on Friday,” he was quoted as saying.

Zacharevic said he had contacted the airline over the previous cases but “there was no positive outcome”.

He said he will not take legal action for now but will try to resolve the matter directly with AirAsia.

FMT has reached out to AirAsia for comment.

Zacharevic recently helped restore three iconic street art murals that he had painted in George Town. In addition to “Children on a Bicycle”, the others are “Boy on Motorbike” on Ah Quee Street, and “Boy on Chair” on Cannon Street.

The artist first painted these murals during the 2012 George Town Festival, gaining worldwide attention. His works were later featured in Lonely Planet’s Street Art book, compiled by independent curator Ed Bartlett in 2017.