PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA: Local travellers can now travel to Singapore more often now that AirAsia has added four more daily direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and the island republic.

AirAsia will also be giving away 51,000 free seats and waiving fuel surcharge for the flights.

Travellers may start booking now until Oct 3 for flights between Dec 1 and July 31, next year, the company said in a statement yesterday.

The free seats are offered to commemorate Malaysia's 51 years of Merdeka. For details, log on to www.airasia.com.

Meanwhile, AirAsia X, the low-cost, long-haul wing of AirAsia has won the "Best Newcomer" award at the 2008 Budgie World Low Cost Airline Awards held at London's Queen Elizabeth II centre.

It was also shortlisted for the "Best Low Cost Airline", "Best Low Cost Airline in Asia Pacific" and "CEO of the Year" accolades, making it the entry with the highest number of nominations.

AirAsia X was commended for its ground-breaking new business model and excellence in launching its services across Asia Pacific.

It is an affiliate of AirAsia and was launched in January 2007 to cover destinations which are more than four hours in flight duration from Kuala Lumpur. --THE STAR