The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) said in a press release that it had decided to fine AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur International) and AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur International) MYR200,000 ringgits (USD48,000) each for violation of the country's consumer protection rights.

The two LCCs were fined for charging credit card, debit card, and online banking processing fees separate from their base fares. Since July 1, 2019, the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code has been updated to ban such extra charges and gave MAVCOM the right to penalise carriers for imposing them.

At the same time, MAVCOM fined Malaysia Airports MYR1.18 million (USD283,000) for its failure to meet quality of service standards at Kuala Lumpur International airport.

AirAsia did not comment on the fine, although just a day before MAVCOM's decision, AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes criticised the agency for its alleged failure to support the aviation sector in Malaysia, the Bernama news agency reported. In particular, he bashed MAVCOM for bureaucratic procedures regarding route approvals, arbitrary decisions allegedly blocking AirAsia from adding routes even when bilateral air service agreements would allow them, and failure to intervene in the airport charges dispute between the LCC and Malaysia Airports.