We have proof to back Tony’s claim, says AirAsia

The airline claims Mavcom executive chairman contacted the AirAsia Malaysia CEO directly about cancelling cheap flights to take voters home to vote in the polls.

SEPANG: AirAsia has rejected claims in a police report lodged by the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) against the budget airline’s group CEO Tony Fernandes, saying it has “evidences and facts” to back his accusations against the agency.

“We would like to emphasise that the video released by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes on 13 May 2018 is fully supported by evidences and facts including direct communication between AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat and the Executive Chairman of Mavcom,” AirAsia said in a statement today.

“We will divulge the evidences and facts to the appropriate authorities at the right time.

“We will cooperate fully with the police on this investigation in accordance to the law and take all actions that are necessary to protect the interests of AirAsia as well as Tan Sri Tony Fernandes,” the statement said.

Mavcom lodged the police report against Fernandes after the AirAsia boss accused the agency of pressuring him to cancel cheap flights to accommodate thousands of voters going home to cast their votes in the May 9 election.

“The Commission views Tony Fernandes’ accusation against Mavcom of informing AirAsia to cancel ‘120 extra flights which would have carried 26,000 people on top of our normal flights’ as baseless and malicious,” it said in a statement today.

The agency was referring to a claim made by Fernandes to explain his decision to endorse former prime minister Najib Razak’s administration at the height of the general election campaign.

On Sunday, Fernandes claimed that AirAsia was summoned by Mavcom and told to cancel those flights.

But Mavcom today refuted the allegation, saying they had in fact approved all 66 additional flights which were applied for by AirAsia on April 23.

“The Commission has never issued any directive to AirAsia or any other airline to reduce or cancel any flights where regulatory requirements are met.” -FMT