MALAYSIA’S long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X is to eliminate flights to Europe and India due to soaring fuel prices, exorbitant taxes and weakening air travel demand.

AirAsia X said it will suspend flights from Kuala Lumpur to Mumbai starting February 1; to New Delhi from March 23; to Paris from March 31 and to London from April 1.

The company blamed high jet fuel cost and slowing demand for air travel from Europe due to a weakening economy and high government taxes. These factors had hurt its ability to offer low fares.

Visa restrictions combined with high airport and handling charges made it tough to operate in India, it said.

AirAsia Xs aid in a statement today it would focus on opening new routes and expanding in its core markets of Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.

Source: AP