Asia Aviation Public Company LimitedAirAsia faces a 66% Q2 surge in jet fuel prices, but Fernandes says higher fuel costs are far less severe than during COVID and plans to offset them with ticket-price hikes.

Tony Fernandes, co-founder of AirAsia, said on September 18 that the challenges the low-cost carrier faces from soaring jet fuel prices are far less severe than during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, with continued strong demand for air travel a key factor supporting the business. Speaking at a press conference in Hong Kong, Fernandes said the second quarter was the most difficult period for the airline, and he expects conditions to begin improving after AirAsia gradually raises ticket prices to reflect higher fuel costs. The remarks came after Reuters reported on September 16, citing sources, that the Malaysian government had asked Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air whether they could take over domestic routes and passengers from AirAsia, as part of contingency planning while authorities monitor the financial position of AirAsia, Southeast Asia's largest budget carrier. AirAsia has been hit hard by jet fuel prices that surged amid the war between the US-Israel side and Iran, pushing average jet fuel prices in the second quarter up 66% from the previous quarter to 183 dollars per barrel.
Asia Aviation Public Company LimitedAirAsia faces a 66% Q2 surge in jet fuel prices, but Fernandes says higher fuel costs are far less severe than during COVID and plans to offset them with ticket-price hikes.
Malaysian government asked Batik Air whether it could take over domestic routes and passengers from AirAsia as contingency planning, a potential opportunity but only a query.