KUALA LUMPUR – AirAsia X (AAX) has compensated some 270,000 cancelled bookings, totalling nearly 80% that were affected by travel restrictions put in place during the pandemic.
In a statement today, AAX acting group CEO Tony Fernandes said the company is working to provide compensation in the form of five-year travel vouchers to the rest of the affected customers.
“I am thrilled to share that we have delivered on our commitment to AAX guests, and given back more than US$92 million (RM409 million) worth of travel vouchers for over a quarter million bookings.
“That is about 80% of the total bookings, and we are reaching out to the final groups of guests until everyone gets back what they are owed,” he said in the statement.
AAX also reassured that it will prioritise processing all remaining compensation entitlements, including for bookings made by travel agents in the coming weeks.
“While many have supported us through thick and thin, I understand many others have expressed frustration with not receiving a cash refund for the cancelled flights.
“AAX wasn’t able to pay cash refunds due to the legal process of the restructuring, but we have worked hard to balance survival with paying everyone back with credit vouchers to fly again to exciting destinations now and in the future.”
The travel vouchers can be used for any AAX flights immediately and for future travels including a number of international destinations such as Japan, Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand, London, Dubai, and Istanbul in 2022.
Customers who have yet to receive the travel voucher are required to register for AirAsia reward members using the same email used for the booking as the travel voucher will be linked to the account.
All affected parties will be contacted via their registered email address, according to the statement.
On July 9, Fernandes assured that AirAsia will do everything in its power to pay back affected passengers.
Despite receiving no financial support, the business tycoon said the low-budget airline will get “everyone” – presumably referring to former employees who were laid off in a bid to downsize operations in 2020 – back to work and compensate affected guests.
“We do what it takes and despite no financial support, we will get everyone back to work and pay everyone back because we do what it takes to win and do the right thing,” he said on July 9. – The Vibes, July 15, 2022
