Air Asia X to Sydney

[Lukas M]

AirAsia X is expected to announce services to Sydney or Melbourne before the end of August. Speaking to

Travel Today at the Australian Pacific Aviation Outlook Summit, its chief executive Azran Osman-Rani said talks yesterday with Sydney airport had been positive and that the airport had shifted considerably from its previous “here’s our offer take it or leave it,” approach. “They have engaged us not only with a reduced price, but also understand our operational needs,” he added. Melbourne Tullamarine has made similarly attractive offers, he added. Sydney has the edge, with Osman- Rani saying “New South Wales is a market you cannot ignore.” Newcastle airport general manager David Nye said talks with AirAsia X stalled in January due to the lack of full international customs clearance. The existing Australian-Malaysian air services agreement currently prohibits airlines other than Qantas and Malaysia Airlines flying between Sydney, Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur, which could delay any announcement, he warned. But added that Canberra was very open towards changing it. The airline will take its second A330-300 in November, when it will launch services to Perth and Melbourne or Sydney could start as early as December after the delivery of a third aircraft, Osman Rani said.
-TravelToday

Seeing as JQ has dumped this route I think Sydney would come first, good to see Sydney Airport offering some good deals