KUANTAN: AirAsia has been advised not to jump the gun by informing the media about its application for new routes and an increase of flight frequency.

Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said the company should wait for the authorities to make a decision.

"I see no necessity for Air-Asia to tell the media every time they file for a new application," he said after the installation of new committee members at the state Federation of Chinese Associations and state Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry here yesterday.

Ong, however, said that every application made by the airline would be given due consideration.

"All airlines have to follow procedures when applying for a new sector or if they want to increase the number of flights.
"The ministry will process the applications according to the guidelines and will take into consideration the air traffic rights and passenger load as the key factors."

AirAsia, among others, plans to increase the number of flights to Singapore to six times a day, citing the route as its most profitable.

For AirAsia to gain extra flights to the republic, Malaysia has to allow an increase in the frequency of flights by Singapore's budget airline Tiger Airways to Kuala Lumpur.

At present, AirAsia flies to Singapore twice a day and Tiger Airways has the same number of flights to Kuala Lumpur.