PETALING JAYA: Two low-cost carriers have come to the rescue of passengers stranded by MYAirline’s shock suspension of operations, offering special fixed fares on selected routes.
Batik Air is offering all-inclusive special fares, available up to Nov 30 with seats subject to availability, it said in a statement today.
“Our aim is to assist passengers so they can reach their destinations with ease. We’re here to support the affected passengers during this time,” said Lion Air Group strategic director Chandran Rama Murthy.
The special fare for a one-way flight to Penang is RM129, RM159 for Langkawi, RM199 for Kuching, and RM299 for Bangkok (Don Mueang) and Kota Kinabalu.
Meanwhile, AirAsia announced a special 50% discount on base one-way fares – excluding airport tax, Mavcom fee, fuel surcharge and other applicable fees – exclusively for MYAirline passengers.
“The special offer is applicable to all MYAirline passengers with confirmed flight bookings to and from Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Tawau, Kota Bharu, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu-Tawau, and Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok from today until Nov 30,” it said in a separate statement.
AirAsia said the “affected passengers can present their confirmed MYAirline flight bookings at AirAsia sales counters” at KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur and the airports at the specified destinations.
AirAsia Aviation Group CEO Bo Lingam also said the airline is willing to consider hiring MYAirline staff, and encouraged affected staff to reach out to them.
MYAirline had this morning suspended operations effective immediately because of “severe financial challenges”.
In an internal email sighted by FMT, the airline said it has “explored all avenues for potential partnerships and capital raising exercises” to rescue the airline.
Passengers have reacted with shock and anger to the suspension, with many left facing empty airport counters, stranded at airports by flights that never materialised.
