Hi, I am back, but first, was a little upset, no very upset upon receiving text from my friend yesterday saying that Air Asia X has suspended flights to Christchurch, New Zealand effective 1 June 2012.
Our group of 9 has been planning for the 2 weeks trip to the land of Kiwi for ages, all our itineraries have been prepared and now will not take place after all? Disappointed and angry and text messages, emails, FB messages kept flying amongst us on what to do next. Some opted for the refund, some proposed other destinations. I was saying, no I do not want a refund, I do not want another destination! A couple of my friends agreed.
Our scheduled flight is in September 2012 and the impatient kid in me was always grumbling that September seems such a looong way to go. But then at least there was something to look forward to and time to save more $$. We were supposed to travel cheap, stay at backpackers, rent a car and drive around to some places on the South Island before flying to Auckland and explore some places on the North Island. So what now?
After a lengthy discussion, we, three of us thought, perhaps we could go earlier, say April and come back early May? Any later than that would be impossible as we would be busy with the preparations of the State Level Harvest Festival celebrations.
My friend Teri, bless her, camped at the Air Asia office today and tried requesting for such flights. As of now, our flight to Christchurch on 27th April is confirmed but still pending confirmation for the return flight. Now keeping my fingers and toes crossed.!!
It would be autumn there and pictures taken by friends who have been there before is enough to convince me that NZ 's colours during those times couldn't be more beautiful.
No, I won't say my grumblings have been answered until we complete the trip.
(Excerpt of Air Asia X Press Release taken from News & Events )
AIRASIA X TO SUSPEND SERVICES TO CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
The realignment of its network leads long-haul, low-cost carrier to focus on core markets
KUALA LUMPUR, 12 March 2012 – AirAsia X, the long-haul, low fare affiliate of AirAsia, today announced the suspension of its services to Christchurch, New Zealand as part of the realignment of its network to focus on its core markets.
The current four times weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Christchurch will be suspended with the last flight on 30 May, 2012 (from Kuala Lumpur) and 31 May, 2012 (from Christchurch).
AirAsia X will offer guests who hold bookings after these dates an option of a full refund, a reroute to another AirAsia X destination (e.g. Australia to Kuala Lumpur or Kuala Lumpur to North Asia), or a rebook of a return flight prior to 31 May, 2012. All changes will be made at no additional cost to mitigate the inconvenience caused as a result of the withdrawal. All affected guests will receive an e-mail stating the available options.
The suspension of Christchurch, New Zealand is a move made subsequent to the airline’s suspension of its European and Indian routes early this year to improve operating cost efficiencies and concentrate capacity in AirAsia X core markets of Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Iran.
