Air Asia to London Stansted

[Saj_A]

When the idea of flying to London was first outlined by AirAsia X, they intended to fly to LHR via DXB.

Notwithstanding the reality that ex-DXB AirAsia X would have been annihilated by Emirates, but high fuel costs the industry has battled with this year and other operational costs mean that the carrier will not operate this route for long.

Stansted is miles away from London, infrastructure to get to Central London from STN is a joke - I bet we see them shift to LGW within 18 months, if not sooner. Or perhaps even drop London altogether.

As to Fernandes' statement he'll introduce £49 fares, well, those words will inevitably come back to haunt him.

OPEC will make sure of that

[Will H]

Originally Posted by Saj_A

When the idea of flying to London was first outlined by AirAsia X, they intended to fly to LHR via DXB.

Notwithstanding the reality that ex-DXB AirAsia X would have been annihilated by Emirates, but high fuel costs the industry has battled with this year and other operational costs mean that the carrier will not operate this route for long.

Actually the different plans had to do with aircraft availability. AirAsia X originally thought they could get a 340, but then 787 delays tightened up the widebody lease market and didn't make obtaining a 340 attractive. That's when they considered flying through the UAE (Sharjah, IIRC, was pegged), but then lease rates came down and they were able to secure a 340.

More 340s are likely on their way in the future.

[Saj_A]

I agree, most of the carriers plans were based on airplane availability:

The link to this article is dead, but here's a snippet:

Malaysia's Chinese news website Sin Chew Daily reports, Air Asia will launch its first long-haul route from 2007.

Air Asia plans to announce the launch of low-cost, long-haul route in January 2007, the route will be London. Inaugural date to be set for July 2007, with a stop in Dubai. It'll be using either 777 or 330 on this route, in conjunction with FAX (Fly Asian Xpress).

[Anthony T]

Stansted is miles away from London, infrastructure to get to Central London from STN is a joke

Stansted is about 30 miles north of London and has Stansted Express rail services to Liverpool St every 15 mins as well as a 30-60 min frequency to the East & West Midlands, there are a multitude of both local area, medium & long distance bus and coach services to most parts of England.

Not everyone that uses STN wants to go to London.

Also the Air Asia flights aren't aimed at the UK-AUS VFR market, but the Ibiza bucket and spade brigade looking to go somewhere further afield for less pounds than the current airlines rip-off fares from Thiefrow.

[Mike W]

Originally Posted by Anthony T

current airlines rip-off fares from Thiefrow.

Love it