Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed on March 25 an application from Malaysia Airports to strike out AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur International) and AirAsia X’s claim for MYR479,781,285 ringgit (USD113.9 million), the airlines’ parent company Capital A revealed in a Bursa Malaysia filing on March 28.

The two carriers have been trying to sue the airport operator for what they allege were losses and damages sustained between 2014 and 2018 due to negligence leading to multiple disruptions and poor conditions at KLIA2, the second terminal at Kuala Lumpur International where low-cost carriers operate. KLIA1 is used by, for example, flag carrier Malaysia Airlines (MH, Kuala Lumpur International).

AirAsia and its long-haul subsidiary lodged the lawsuit in October 2019, claiming that the amount from Malaysia Airports was for “loss and damage caused by negligence on the part of [the airport operator], its servants and/or agents in the management, operation, maintenance and/or provision of airport services and facilities at klia2.” It initially served a notice to Malaysia Airports staking claim to this amount in January 2019.

The carriers broke the claim down into MYR371 million (USD88 million) for loss of customers, MYR99.6 million (USD23.6 million) for runway closures, MYR5.6 million (USD1.3 million) for consequential failure to provide services, MYR2.5 million (USD590,000) for disruptions to operations, and MYR1 million (USD240,000) for damage to aircraft and internet outages.

Capital A said in its recent filing that Kuala Lumpur High Court had fixed the next appearance before the judge for the case for April 4.

This case is separate from the clash between Malaysia Airports and the two airlines over passenger service charges, in which an appeals court recently dismissed attempts by AirAsia and AirAsia X to set aside an earlier High Court ruling against them.

In related news, AirAsia X said in another stock exchange disclosure, on March 24, that Bursa Malaysia had granted it an extension of time to implement its fundraising proposed in 2020 - including a subscription option for a special purpose vehicle to subscribe to up to 15% of the new shares - until October 26, 2022.