KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 14): AirAsia X Bhd will suspend its flights from here to Mauritius next month as part of the budget airline's network restructuring to improve aircraft-utilisation efficiency, The Independent Singapore reported.

Quoting AirAsia X, The Independent Singapore reported that the final Kuala Lumpur-Mauritius flight will be operated on March 24 while the last Mauritius-Kuala Lumpur service will be on March 25.

"It (the suspension) is also to accelerate capacity growth in AirAsia X's key markets of Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea," AirAsia X said.

According to the news report, AirAsia X operates thrice weekly Kuala Lumpur-Mauritius flights.

The Independent Singapore reported that AirAsia X was the only airline offering direct flights from Malaysia to Mauritius after Air Mauritius stopped its direct flights in 2016.

"AirAsia X Bhd confirmed the suspension of its services otherwise lucrative flights to Mauritius, citing operational restructuring and aircraft usage rationalisation.

"But sources told the independent.sg the sudden decision could be due to peer pressure by local ethnic groups, lobbying to the authorities in Mauritius to stop the highly successful flights," The Independent Singapore reported.