KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 24): AirAsia Bhd chief executive officer Aireen Omar has come out to rebuff Kinabatangan legislator Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin's allegation that the low-cost airline charged a passenger as much as RM2,000 for a one-way flight between Kuala Lumpur and Sandakan.

In a statement today, Aireen said the claim is "completely untrue", and that even during the peak season, AirAsia's highest fare was about RM1,180.

"As a low-cost carrier, AirAsia continually strives to offer low fares so everyone can fly. This includes our Kuala Lumpur-Sandakan service. The claim by the MP that a one-way flight on that route costs RM2,000 is completely untrue," she said.

"The average one-way fare for AirAsia flights between Kuala Lumpur and Sandakan is RM213. Even during peak season, when AirAsia operates flights with 100% load factor, our highest fare was about RM1,180, which still remain lowest in the market," she said.

Aireen also said AirAsia's fares do not contained hidden charges as alleged by Bung Moktar.

"AirAsia guests have the option of choosing how they want to fly and what products they wish to pay for, and all fees and charges are clearly stated on our website and mobile app," she said.

AirAsia was the first airline to connect Kuala Lumpur and Sandakan with four weekly direct flights on April 7, 2003, and has since increased the flight frequency to 18 times weekly.

"To date, we have flown over 5 million guests to and from Sandakan. We have invested substantially in marketing the route, by providing millions of free and promotional seats. These promotional fares, which are sold based on a first come, first served basis, have been tremendously enjoyed by Sabahans," said Aireen.

On Tuesday, in his speech during the debate on the Supply Bill 2018 allocation for the transport ministry at the Dewan Rakyat, Bung Moktar claimed that AirAsia priced the Kuala Lumpur-Sandakan route as high as RM2,000 for a one-way flight, and that the airline should take passengers' welfare into consideration.

Meanwhile, Aireen also invited Bung Moktar to review the differences in facilities and services between airport terminals in Malaysia and look into customer opinions and feedback on welfare matters.

"We wish to invite him to review the differences in facilities and services between airport terminals in Malaysia and look into customer opinions and feedback. The rakyat in Sandakan are being forced to pay the same airport tax as travellers who use KLIA for far inferior services," she said.

"AirAsia practises an open policy and welcomes any MP who would like to work with us to further develop and grow the tourism and travel industry. We also invite them to meet us to have a constructive dialogue and give us an opportunity to explain our low-cost business model and its contribution to the industry," she added.

Nonetheless, Aireen said AirAsia will continue to strengthen connectivity to East Malaysia hubs, including Sandakan, bringing the world closer to Sabah and Sarawak.

"This year alone, we have launched five new routes into East Malaysia, including Kuching-Langkawi, Kuching-Pontianak, Bintulu-Singapore, Kuching-Shenzhen and Tawau-Johor Bahru, and increased flight frequencies on several key East Malaysia routes," she said.