AirAsia suspended its shifting operations to KLIA2 to ensure that the new terminal is safe, said AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

“Moving has never been in question, just timing and ensuring people can afford this terminal which is supposed to be low-cost,” Fernandes said in a statement to The Malaysian Insider news portal.

Responding to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) senior general manager Datuk Azmi Murad who told Bernama that the low-cost airlines had wanted a museum and spa in the new airport, Fernandes said he did not know anything about the spa.

"I have seen many funny stories but this takes the cake. A museum and a spa. Aware of the museum. It is to foster children's interest in the world of aviation. Spa, not aware," he said.

He stressed that the airlines just wanted a safe, cheap and on time low cost carrier terminal.

"MAHB had failed both," he said.

"It took two months before we moved to the LCCT. We need time. It's hard for me to believe that an airport that delayed the construction up to three years with increased cost from RM2 billion to 4 billion has credibility.

"We will issue a clear statement. There is no question about moving, only about the time and cost for passengers as it is supposed to be a low-cost terminal, he said.

Previously, Azmi said MAHB has met nearly all AirAsia’s requirements to operate from a new low-cost carrier terminal, KLIA2.

Among some of the things required by AirAsia and not fulfilled by MAHB is spa and museum, he told Bernama in an interview recently.

Flight operations at KLIA2 will begin on May 2 and the current LCCT will be closed on May 9, leaving AirAsia with no choice but to operate from the new airport.