, Columnist
Asian Budget Carriers Need Help to Avoid Spirit’s Fate
Asia’s discount carriers bear the brunt of the energy shock. Photo: Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images
The global jet-fuel crunch is hitting Asia’s low-cost airlines much harder than their full-service counterparts. Governments should be preparing financial or operational support to avoid further flight cancellations during the busy summer travel season — as well as outright shutdowns like the collapse of America’s Spirit Airlines.
Discount carriers like Malaysia’s AirAsia X Bhd., Indonesia’s PT Lion Mentari Airlines and Cebu Air Inc. of the Philippines are already bearing the brunt of the energy shock. Policymakers must consider targeted measures in the form of loans, grants or fuel price relief.