Low-cost, long-haul flights to Asia, are to be launched this summer by a new airline, AirAsia X.
Fares from Britain are expected to be priced at around 100 pounds sterling each way to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur when the first flights start in July.
The new airline will be competing with Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, which started flying from Gatwick to Hong Kong in October, with one-way prices starting at 75 pounds sterling.
AirAsia X plans to fly from either Stansted or Manchester to Kuala Lumpur as part of plans to develop a network of budget flights serving China, India, Australia and the Middle East. The airline is owned by Fly Asian Express and will collaborate with AirAsia, the region’s biggest low-cost carrier.
Malaysian aviation entrepreneur, Tony Fernandes, who owns part of both airlines, said average ticket prices on long-haul routes would be about half the price of full service airlines.
