Compiled by TEH ENG HOCK, SYLVIA LOOI and A. RAMAN

BUDGET carrier AirAsia has been urged to look into the possibility of refunding the fuel surcharge to passengers who made their flight bookings before the surcharge was waived, reported Sinar Harian.

Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations adviser Chua Kim Tee welcomed the airline's move to waive the surcharge on Nov 11, but said the benefits should also be extended to passengers who made advance payments for their flights prior to the announcement of the waiver.

"In this context, maybe AirAsia can return the fuel surcharge which had been paid earlier as the passengers had not used the service," he said.

"When the global oil prices go up, we have no choice but to pay the surcharges.

"But with the current market situation, abolishing the surcharge is the right way to go."