With regards to the letter Unrealistic to blame AirAsia , it seems to me that the writer has never taken a budget airlines overseas. Neither does he know clearly how budget airlines operate.

Budget airlines charge much less because they offer less service, not poor service. They do not serve proper meals but instead sell light refreshments. Therefore, they do not need as many in-flight attendants. Less service, but not poor service. The turnaround time is much quicker because there will be much less cleaning to do.

Besides that, budget airlines fly to closer destinations so that the crew can make a return trips within the same day. That way, they can save on accommodation costs and staff allowances because they will always return to their base.

The writer is wrong to say that AirAsia do not pick their routes. It is so obvious that AirAsia flies only the profitable routes. In fact, they have taken all the most profitable routes in Malaysia as well as some other secondary ones that are profitable. Do they fly the KL-Ipoh or Kuching-Sibu routes that Malaysia Airlines flies?

I have flown budget airlines in Australia many times but have never had to put up with such rude attitudes as mentioned in AirAsia operations legal? Such rude staff in Australia will automatically get the sack.

That is purely poor service, not less service. Habitual delays also hardly happen here in Australia. If there is a delay, passengers will be served refreshments or proper meals and proper announcements will be made before anyone has to make any enquiries.

At the moment, AirAsia and its supporters can always say 'take another airline'. In other words, that just means 'put up or pay more' because there is no other budget airline in Malaysia.

That is exactly what Proton and its supporters used to say 10 years ago, when foreign cars were much more expensive. 'Not happy, buy other cars'. Anyone can say that when they have a monopoly. But try saying that today when people can happily buy a locally assembled foreign brand car or a Perodua.

It is very important to be well regarded by consumers before competitors make an entry. Make full use of the first starter advantage but do not abuse it. AirAsia could end up like Proton, searching in vain and begging for a partner, when clearly, no one is interested unless offered 'a cow for a chicken'.