FOLLOWING AirAsia X’s decsion to withdraw services from Gatwick after just three months, the airport has expressed its disappoinment at the move.
A spokesperson said: “We are very disappointed to be losing AirAsia X, which has been operating a direct route from Gatwick to Kuala Lumpar since October last year. AirAsia X has made the reasons behind its decision clear. The continued high fuel prices in 2011, weakening economic conditions in Europe and the impact of Air Passenger Duty (APD) alongside the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) carbon tax in the UK has resulted in the withdrawal of operations at Gatwick on 31 March 2012.
‘We hope we can welcome AirAsia X back to Gatwick. As a founding member of the Fair Tax on Flying Alliance, Gatwick is campaigning for the cost of the Emissions Trading Scheme to be offset against those of the Air Passenger Duty in the March 2012 Budget. We believe the Treasury must pay far closer attention to the impact of this issue as the decision by AirAsia X is clear evidence that the burden of additional taxation in all its forms is a material consideration for long haul airlines flying to the UK.
“We remain committed to helping our airlines grow, to investing in our facilities and delivering great service for passengers. Over five million passengers travel every year to over 40 long haul destinations from Gatwick and we continue to improve our long haul offer with Hong Kong Airlines operating a daily flight to Hong Kong from 8 March, in addition to Air China operating daily between Gatwick and Beijing from May. More recently Korean Air has announced a three times a week service from Gatwick to Seoul which will start on 29 April this year.”