AirAsia boss and transport minister in social media battle

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  AirAsia founder Tan Sri Tony Fernandes (pic) took to Twitter again today to hit out at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein over klia2’s ballooning cost and airport taxes.

  Fernandes tweeted: “Let’s be clear. Malaysian Airports is a monopoly. My concern is making sure they keep costs down for the Malaysian public.

  “We created low cost travel. We did not ask for a 4 billion [ringgit] terminal that is 3 years late. The present terminal LCCT costs RM250 million.”

  In response to Fernandes’s tweets, Hishammuddin defended new terminal klia2 that had been delayed for over two years:

  “KLIA2: Cost Increase&Delay-Public will know Y/who/ after operational 2nd May=Govt’s immediate focus @jayadylan @tonyfernandes.”

  He also confirmed on Twitter that the terminal is set to open on May 2 after failing safety and fire checks earlier this month.

  “Klia2 to open 2nd May so everyone can depart,” said Hishammuddin.

  Fernandes had been using the social media site to bring up concerns that the airport tax is too high, burdening passengers and making it difficult for low-cost carriers such as AirAsia to keep fares low.

  He tweeted: “@HishammuddinH2O @AKaprawi @AirAsia key is to have everyone departing at the lowest cost. Klia2 must be low cost. And must be safe.”

  The founder of AirAsia also criticised Malaysia Airlines (MAS) for incurring a loss of RM1.17 billion last year.

  Expressing his shock over MAS’s report, Fernandes said that the flag carrier stayed afloat due to taxpayers’ money and urged the airline to start churning out profits.

  Meanwhile, MAHB had put up its 5-yearly review of passenger service charges (PSC), and left it to the Transport Ministry to decide if increase in charges would be passed on to airport users or to absorb it.

  Fernandes had also publicly voiced his disapproval over higher airport taxes.

  “History will judge Airasia for fighting for the common man. To make flying affordable. Now everyone can fly,” said Fernandes on his Twitter page. – Malaysian Insider