11/02/12, 01:01:45 EST

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Airline's $1200 fares to Britain

theaustralian.news.com.au

NEW low-cost, long-haul airline AirAsiaX is looking at return fares of $1200 to Britain and hopes to fly to three Australian destinations within four years.

The Malaysian-based carrier -- an affiliate of Southeast Asia's biggest low-cost carrier, AirAsia, and 20 per cent owned by Virgin Group -- yesterday announced introductory one-way fares of $99 on its fourweekly return services between the Gold Coast and Kuala Lumpur.

It has pledged to keep one-way seats available at $199 and to maintain its overall prices at about half those offered by full-service airlines.

This would mean return tickets at about the $500 mark, AirAsiaX chief executive Azran Osman-Rani said.

The AirAsiaX chief said Avalon in Victoria remained at the top of the list as the airline's next destination.

"We like their proposal, I think they're working with the Victorian Government to see whether they can demonstrate a similar partnership structure as the Gold Coast and Queensland.

"They are the leading contender, but I've also talked with Melbourne, Tullamarine, I've talked to Perth and I've talked to Newcastle."

The inaugural flight to Australia is expected to leave Kuala Lumpur on November 2, subject to regulatory approval.

Mr Osman-Rani said the airline would not just link the Gold Coast with KL, but also toChina. "We will do a second Australian city and a second Chinese city and then also try and increase the frequencies to, perhaps, a daily flight each."

* AIR New Zealand is preparing to start testing of biofuels as early as next year. It is partnering with aircraft manufacturer Boeing and engine-maker Rolls-Royce to test a biofuel blend on one of its Boeing 747s.

 Printable Version  | published Oct 01, 2007