Malaysia Airlines has announced it will accommodate all passengers affected by the cancellation of Air Asia X’s flights to Gatwick, Paris, Mumbai and New Delhi, which weredropped as part of a cost-saving initiative.
Between March 28 and October 27, all economy and premium economy passengers with confirmed Air Asia X tickets issued before January 13 2012 for any of the four routes will be transferred onto Malaysia Airlines operated flights.
Air Asia X is due to stop flying on the Gatwick to Kuala Lumpur route tomorrow (March 31). The airline had been running the service six times a week.
While economy class passengers will be in economy on MAS, premium economy passengers will be upgraded to business class on Malaysia Airlines since the carrier does not have a premium economy cabin.
According to a spokesperson, once the transfer has been confirmed, all Air Asia X passengers will receive the amenities that MAS passengers receive, such as check-in baggage allowance based on class of travel and onboard meals.
Under the agreement, Malaysia Airlines will receive "upfront cash payments and pre-payments on tickets for re-accommodated passengers." According to an official statement from the carrier, Malaysia has so far received RM20 million (US$6 million) in cash from Air Asia X.
www.malaysiaairlines.com