AirAsia Bhd urged the authorities of the KL International Airport 2 (KLIA2) to speed up present remedial works at the airport.

“This has got to end and the board must take responsibility,” AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tony Fernandes said.

“I have been very public about it for a long time. Most of you didn’t support me, saying the airport is great and Tony is arrogant,” he said to reporters after the signing ceremony of a collaboration agreement between AirAsia and Destini Aviation Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur today.

AirAsia had initially refused to move to KLIA2, claiming that the airport was plagued with defects on the taxiway and runway.    

“We should never have moved before the ground was settled and fixed. The management of AirAsia and I were right,” he said.

When asked what was the best solution, he replied: “Move us back to the LCCT (the low-cost carrier terminal).”

Fernandes said AirAsia wouldn’t end the operation as it had been working on it for years, adding that the airline could be much better.

“We have moved and so we will make the most of it. But let’s stop repeating this mistake,” he said.

He said AirAsia had spent an average of nearly US$100 million per annum on maintenance and services.

“We are anticipating at least 10 to 15 percent in savings from the collaboration with Destini Aviation, “ he said.

- Bernama