routes within East Malaysia. Its maiden flight was on 1 August 2006, despite being delayed for 50 minutes by bad weather. FAX was not a low-cost carrier, but it incorporated some of AirAsia's practices to reduce cost. Namely; internet and phone bookings, as well as ticketless check-in systems. Within days of operation it was subject to a flood of criticisms from commuters, civil servants, and people working in the tourism industry. Critics argued that the new turboprop service provided by FAX should not be more expensive than the rural air service previously operated by Malaysia Airlines, as FAX was subsidised by the Malaysian Government. As well as cost, the airline was criticised for poor service, such as sudden flight cancellations without notice. The CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board also stated that disruptions to cargo supply flights to the interior, caused tourists to take their own food rations, rather than rely upon the air cargo supplies of food and fuel. FAX released a new flight timetable citing the sudden need for heavy maintenance on its Fokker 50 fleet as the trigger for severe disruption to its schedules. On 11 April 2007, Tony Fernandes, CEO of the parent company of FAX (AirAsia), publicised details of a handover offer of FAX's rural routes, to Firefly, a subsidiary airline of Malaysia Airlines. He described it as "the logical thing to do", as Firefly can be the only national company operating turboprop aircraft. On 26 April 2007, the government announced Malaysia Airlines would take over the operation of rural air services from FAX, and gave assurance that any financial loss would be borne by the government. Malaysia Airlines announced the take over of FAX destinations beginning on 1 October 2007. Malaysia Airlines would operate these routes through a new subsidiary, MASwings. With FAX rural air services replaced by MASwings, the corporate name was changed from FlyAsianXpress Sdn. Bhd. to AirAsia X Sdn. Bhd. with this, the airlines focus switched to a new market, low cost, long haul flights. Corporate affairs The head office and registered office is at the RedQ facility on the property of Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 in Sepang, Selangor. The head office was previously located at the LCC Terminal at KLIA, while the registered office was on Level 12 of the Menara Prima Tower B in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The airline planned to move its head office to a new