Gatwick Responds to the Decision Made by Air Asia X Today, to Withdraw its Services to India (Mumbai and Delhi) and Europe (Paris, London) from its Kuala Lumpur Hub

    WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND, January 14, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- "We are very disappointed to be losing Air Asia X, which has been operating a direct route from Gatwick to Kuala Lumpur since October last year. Air Asia X has made the reasons behind its decision clear. The continued high fuel prices in 2011, weakening economic conditions in Europe and the impact of Air Passenger Duty (APD) alongside the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) carbon tax in the UK has resulted in the withdrawal of operations at Gatwick on 31 March 2012.

"We hope we can welcome Air Asia X back to Gatwick. As a founding member of the Fair Tax on Flying Alliance, Gatwick is campaigning for the cost of the Emissions Trading Scheme to be offset against those of the Air Passenger Duty in the March 2012 Budget. We believe the Treasury must pay far closer attention to the impact of this issue as the decision by Air Asia X is clear evidence that the burden of additional taxation in all its forms is a material consideration for long haul airlines flying to the UK.

"We remain committed to helping our airlines grow, to investing in our facilities and delivering great service for passengers. Over five million passengers travel every year to over 40 long haul destinations from Gatwick and we continue to improve our long haul offer with Hong Kong Airlines operating a daily flight to Hong Kong from 8 March, in addition to Air China operating daily between Gatwick and Beijing from May. More recently Korean Air has announced a three times a week service from Gatwick to Seoul which will start on 29 April this year."

More information on Gatwick Airport Services can be found at www.gatwickairport.com.

Gatwick Airport is the UK's second largest airport and the busiest single-runway airport in the world.

The airport is 28 miles south of London with excellent public transport links, including the award winning Gatwick Express. Gatwick Airport is owned by group of international investment funds, of which Global Infrastructure Partners is the majority shareholder.

# # #