Tony Fernandes's Travel Privilege On Malaysia Airlines Withdrawn

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Airlines has withdrawn the massive discount given to AirAsia's group chief executive Datuk Tony Fernandes following his criticisms against the airline.

ts managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala said the airline had received many letters of protest from employees about the travel privilege in the wake of Fernandes's negative statements about the national carrier.

"We have provided the travel privilege out of goodwill since 2006 in response to Tony's request for interline facility for his own travel on our international routes although AirAsia does not have an interline agreement with Malaysia Airlines," he said.

According to industry practice, only airlines with interlining agreement will consider granting such travel privileges for airline employees.

"Ever since then, we have received numerous staff complaints as to why the privilege was given. We tried our best to fend off all the criticisms.

"However, recently, we have again received a lot of letters of protest from many staff about his travel privilege, in the wake of his various negative statements about Malaysia Airlines.

"Many of our staff feel extremely hurt and frustrated with what they read in the news. The sense of unhappiness among our staff is growing and the pressure from the union is mounting by the day," he said.

Idris added that based on the collective views and requests from various parties within the company, the management had decided that the withdrawal of privilege, effective June 1, 2008 was the best course of action.

BERNAMA
17/06/08

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