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发表于 7-5-2008 09:58 AM
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新闻。
No certain victor in AirAsia-MAS price war
By Presenna Nambiar
Published: 2008/05/07
A FARE fight between full-service carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia could dent the latter's profitability, but how deep the cut would depend on the "Sub-Zero Fare" campaign the budget airline is launching in the next few days.
While analysts had mixed views as to who would win the price war, they believed AirAsia was likely to see a drop in load factors and its share of the domestic market.
"If AirAsia's Sub-Zero Fare campaign were to involve more than 500,000 seats and steep discounts, our forecast yields (for AirAsia) would be further compressed," OSK Research Sdn Bhd associate director Chris Eng said in his report yesterday.
He expects MAS to win this round of the price war as the national carrier has more room to play around with on its fuel surcharge.
Aseambankers Malaysia Bhd research head Vincent Khoo said the campaign by AirAsia may involve discounts - before surcharge, fees and taxes - with the headline ticket price quoted at below zero.
For instance, a fare could be marketed as "-RM10", but, after all the add-ons, the one-way fare could, in fact, be RM90 instead of the RM100 without the "Sub-Zero" offer.
Intra-Asean Travel Committee chairman of the Asean Tourism Association and Mitra Travel group president, Datuk Seri Tunku Iskandar Tunku Abdullah, does not see MAS' latest campaign as unfair competition "unless, in offering these zero fares, MAS has used the buffer of any government subsidies which are not available to AirAsia".
MAS does not receive subsidies from the government, apart from the operations of rural air services in Sabah and Sarawak by its subsidiary MASwings.
Tunku Iskandar said the "blurring" of lines between low-cost and traditional airlines is prevalent worldwide.
"With the cost of fuel now almost US$120 (RM378) per barrel, all airlines have to strive to keep costs low and sell as many seats as possible," he said.
However, he voiced concern over the extension of price undercutting, whether done by MAS or AirAsia, to international routes as it may discourage foreign airlines from flying into the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang.
"This will happen if the foreign airlines find that they are unable to compete, and will stop or reduce their flights to Malaysia. KLIA's objective of becoming a major airline hub in the region may be negatively affected if that is the outcome," Tunku Iskandar said.
On Monday, MAS announced that it would extend its "Everyday Low Fares" to include regional destinations soon.
However, it has no plans to offer them on international destinations, saying that the load factors did not necessitate such a move.
Jet Airways (India) Ltd country manager for Malaysia, Kavin Martinus, said there was no issue as long as the competition was healthy and consumers benefited.
"All airlines are free to follow what strategy they feel is necessary to ensure profitability," he said.
Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents president Ngiam Foon expects the MAS-AirAsia price war to boost travel.
However, he urged the government to have the prices quoted on an all-inclusive basis, as is done in Europe, Australasia and the US.
"What is important is that the interests of the consumer are taken care of - from the way prices are quoted and promoted. Is there such a thing as free or zero? Surely not, as they have to pay something no matter what you call it," Ngiam said.
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