Air Asia X announces MEL (Tullamarine)

[Steve Jones]

From the MEL website:

AirAsia X TO FLY DIRECT TO MELBOURNE AIRPORT
Melbourne welcomes another international airline, with the announcement today that AirAsia X will operate scheduled services to Melbourne Airport.

The Malaysian-based long-haul low-cost airline will commence services in November 2008, flying direct between Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur, enhancing the strong business and tourism links between Victoria and Malaysia.

Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff said the AirAsia X announcement was a great win for Victoria.

“More Malaysians travel to Melbourne than any other Australian city. It is a key market for business, education and leisure travellers,” said Mr Woodruff. “And vice versa, Victorians travel to Malaysia for holidays, visiting families, to conduct business and use Kuala Lumpur as a key stop over point.”

“The important role direct international air services provide to Melbourne and Victoria cannot be understated and we believe that there are even more growth opportunities using Kuala Lumpur as a hub for destinations within South East Asia, Europe and the Indian Sub-Continent” added Mr Woodruff.

Mr Woodruff also highlighted the importance of a diverse range of travel options for international passengers.

“AirAsia X is Melbourne Airport’s 23rd international airline and it offers Victorians a low cost international travel option which further enhances the breadth of airline products available from Melbourne” he said.

The new services will commence on 12 November 2008 with four return flights per week between Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur, with daily flights expected in the future.

For AirAsia X flight information visit: www.airasia.com

Anyone have info on the schedule and launch fares?

[Marty H]

Very good news

see:
http://yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=1286

Will also be daily around XMAS, then fully daily from March.

[lloyd fox]

I believe tues 0115 in 0230 out
wed 1140 in and 1305 out
friday 1120 in 1235 out
sunday 0030 in and 0145 out

AirAsia are having one of those those "free seat" sales again

MEL-KUL return: $320
OOL-KUL return: $304
PER-KUL return: $265

Amazing!

[Adrian B]

I can guess that Lindsay Fox is ****ed at the government over that one

[Brian Wilkes]

Originally Posted by Adrian B

I can guess that Lindsay Fox is ****ed at the government over that one

Why! its called competition and Air Asia was never ever going to fly out of AVV when you see what had to be done to meet IATA International standards for travel.

And the JQ pulling flights out of AVV I think it's saved Fox some $$$$$.

He's Grand Prix handling contract is up for renewal as well, so he may even loose that!

F-WWKR for Air Asia X with a revised Livery. She will be coming down under very frequently soon.

(Source- http://www.pictaero.com/en/pictures/picture,22543)

[Russell D]

Oh yeah I can't wait!! How awesome does that livery look!

Any chance they might add Sydney in the near future as well??

[Kieran Wells]

Originally Posted by Russell D

Any chance they might add Sydney in the near future as well??

Would be nice, but Somehow i don't think so..

Air Asia is low cost, so would be more likely to go for Newcastle if they ever got their act together, or if Sydney lowered landing fees/charges etc...