Budget airline AirAsia has played down the news that it has only been granted a six-month air operator’s certificate (AOC) by Malaysian authorities instead of the more usual two-year period.
Responding to a query from an investment bank, AirAsia said it had been given six months to rectify issues revealed in an audit of the airline by Malaysia’s Department of Civil Aviation
The issues are believed to relate to operating standards such as cabin crew manuals and communications.
Analysts said they saw the measure as a warning to AirAsia to pay more attention to its operating procedures, but they do not expect any long-term damage to the airline.
Meanwhile, AirAsia X will expand its network in China when it launches flights to Shanghai from Kuala Lumpur.
The airline will operate six weekly flights to Shanghai Pudong International Airport from February 19 and step up frequency to offer daily services from May 1.
by Ian Jarrett, TravelMole Asia Pacific
