It was less than a year ago: last February, Tony Fernandes invited official figures and journalists to the Automobile Club de France to celebrate the launch of Air Asia X's route between Paris and Kuala Lumpur. At the time, experts were understandably questioning the viability of a long-haul low-cost airline, especially in a context of soaring fuel prices. According to the Malaysian daily, the airline's management has informed the Transport Minister of its intention to stop flights to Paris, London, Mumbai and Delhi. The restrictions imposed on visas for India and the forthcoming introduction of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which will place a financial burden on airlines, are said to be the reasons for Air Asia X's withdrawal. Management has neither confirmed nor denied any such plans.
