A lawsuit has been filed by a Malaysian-based artist against AirAsia and its parent company, Capital A Berhad, alleging unauthorized use of the artist's designs on one of the airline's planes.

According to the lawsuit, Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian-born artist residing in Penang, claims that his 2012 street mural, Kids on Bicycle, was reproduced and displayed on an AirAsia aircraft in late 2024 without his permission.

Zacharevic states that the use of his design was unauthorized, and no licensing agreement or consent was obtained, adding that the livery was removed after he publicly expressed concerns about the matter.

The BBC has reached out to AirAsia for a statement regarding the allegations.

In an interview with the BBC on Thursday, Zacharevic recalled that he first became aware of the alleged copyright infringement in October 2024, when he discovered that an AirAsia plane was featuring a livery resembling his artwork.

With over a decade of experience in Malaysia, Zacharevic is known for his roadside murals in Penang, which have become a staple of the local art scene.

One of Zacharevic's notable works is the 2012 street mural Kids on Bicycle, created for a local festival, which features two children on a bicycle integrated into the mural, located in George Town's heritage district.

The mural has become a popular tourist attraction, with many visitors taking photos in front of the iconic artwork.

Zacharevic alleges that his work was reproduced on an AirAsia plane without his knowledge or consent, and he personally witnessed the plane in operation at an airport.

Recalling the incident, Zacharevic expressed his discomfort with the situation, which occurred in 2024.

He took to social media to address the issue, posting a photo of the plane and tagging the airline, suggesting that they needed to discuss the use of his artwork.

Since then, Zacharevic has engaged in discussions with the company, but they have been unable to come to a mutually agreeable resolution.

This is not the first instance of Zacharevic's work being used in connection with AirAsia, as he claims the airline has also used his artwork on a delivery bag for its food services arm.

Court documents reveal that Zacharevic had previously discussed a potential collaboration with AirAsia in 2017, where he would create art for the airline's jets and a mural in one of their offices.

According to the documents, Zacharevic had informed the airline of his work and business rates during these discussions.

The lawsuit asserts that despite being aware of Zacharevic's work and rates, the airline proceeded to reproduce and publicly display one of his notable works, thereby infringing on his copyright and moral rights.

As the largest low-cost carrier in Asia, AirAsia operates over 200 jets to more than 100 destinations, and has recently announced plans to resume flights from Kuala Lumpur to London via Bahrain.

Zacharevic has stated that he will leave it to the court to determine any potential compensation he may be entitled to.

The artist emphasized that he does not consider the use of his artwork to be a mere reference to cultural or geographical associations, but rather a distinct artistic creation.

Zacharevic stressed that his artwork is the result of years of professional training, skill, and labor, and should be recognized as such.

The modification of tariff agreements by President Donald Trump with several countries had a consistent outcome: increased costs for US-based companies and consumers.

According to a study released on Thursday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the average tariff rate on imported goods increased significantly, rising from 2.6% at the beginning of the year to 13% in 2025.

The New York Fed's research revealed that US companies absorbed approximately 90% of the costs associated with the higher tariffs imposed by Trump on goods from countries such as Mexico, China, Canada, and the European Union.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York stated that "the majority of the economic burden of the high tariffs imposed in 2025 continues to be borne by US firms and consumers."

When tariff rates changed and increased in the previous year, exporting countries did not adjust their prices to mitigate potential declines in US demand.

Instead of lowering prices, exporters maintained their existing prices and transferred the tariff costs to US importers, who subsequently increased the prices of these goods for consumers.

The response of exporters in 2025 was similar to their reaction in 2018, when Trump introduced certain tariffs during his first term, resulting in higher consumer prices with minimal other economic effects, as noted by the New York Fed at the time.

The New York Fed's findings on Thursday are consistent with the results of other recent analyses.

The Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research organization, reported last month that its research indicated "nearly complete pass-through of tariffs to US import prices."

By analyzing 25 million transactions, Kiel researchers discovered that the prices of goods from countries like Brazil and India did not decrease.

The Kiel report noted that "trade volumes declined" instead, indicating that exporters preferred to reduce the quantity of goods shipped to the US rather than lower their prices.

The National Bureau of Economic Research also found that the pass-through of tariffs to US import prices was "nearly 100%", meaning that the US bears the cost of the price increase, not the exporting countries.

Similarly, the Tax Foundation, a Washington DC-based think tank, found that the increased tariffs on goods in 2025 resulted in higher costs for American households.

The Tax Foundation considered tariffs as a new tax on consumers and estimated that the 2025 increases resulted in an average cost of $1,000 (£734.30) per household, with a projected cost of $1,300 in 2026.

The Tax Foundation reported that the "effective" tariff rate, which accounts for decreased consumer purchases due to higher prices, is now 9.9%, representing the highest average rate since 1946.

The Tax Foundation concluded that the economic benefits of tax cuts included in Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" will be entirely offset by the impacts of the tariffs on households.

A surge in February half-term holiday bookings has been reported by travel agents, with a 9% increase compared to the same period last year, partly attributed to the recent gloomy weather.

According to the Advantage Travel Partnerships, the combination of prolonged rainfall and the current political climate has created a strong desire among people to take a break, leading to a significant rise in bookings.

Manchester Airport is expecting its busiest February half-term on record, with nearly 50,000 passengers set to fly out on Friday, while Jet2 has also seen an increase in bookings, indicating a strong demand for travel during this period.

However, travellers heading to Europe are being cautioned about potential security delays upon arrival due to the ongoing implementation of the European Entry Exit System.

The increase in passenger numbers is putting pressure on the government to proceed with airport expansion plans, despite concerns from critics that this could contribute to higher carbon emissions.

The Met Office has found that the current level of global warming, caused by greenhouse gases, has made extremely wet winters more likely, as warmer air can hold more moisture.

Many parts of the UK have experienced their wettest January on record, and the rain has continued into February, leading to a rise in bookings for warmer destinations.

Jet2 has reported an increase in bookings for this February half-term, with many people opting to fly to southern Europe to escape the UK's poor weather.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, noted that higher prices have not deterred people from booking holidays, indicating a strong demand for travel.

The coincidence of Valentine's Day with the start of the half-term weekend has also contributed to the rise in travellers, with 1,000 people flying from Manchester to Paris on Valentine's Day alone.

The top destinations from Manchester Airport during half-term week include Dublin, Amsterdam, Paris, Dubai, and Tenerife.

Geneva, a popular destination during the winter ski season, has seen an increase in travellers, while Milan is experiencing a surge in bookings due to the Winter Olympics.

Approximately one in seven families with children plan to take a foreign holiday during the half-term period, according to travel association Abta, with city breaks, cruises, winter sun, and skiing being popular options.

The Port of Dover is expecting a peak of 4,000 cars on Saturday morning, with an increase of around 50 cars per hour compared to last year, and has implemented enhanced traffic management to ensure smooth processing.

The domestic tourism sector is also anticipating its first economic boost of the year during the half-term break.

A Visit Scotland spokesperson highlighted the benefits of tourism for rural communities, stating that visitors help support local jobs and economies.

The spokesperson added that tourism "shines a spotlight on Scotland as a year-round destination," supporting local businesses and communities.

Tourism Northern Ireland's Eimear Callaghan identified three key school holidays – February half-term, St Patrick's Day, and Easter – as prime targets for promoting short breaks to families.

UK passport holders travelling to Europe are being warned about potential delays caused by the continued rollout of the European Entry Exit System, the EU's new digital border system.

While the system aims to enhance security and streamline travel, UK travellers have reported long queues at passport control in destinations such as Geneva and Tenerife.

Airport trade body ACI Europe has complained to the EU Commission about border control understaffing and technology issues, leading to "massive delays and inconvenience" for travellers.

Mark Tanzer, Abta chief executive, advised travellers to be aware of the changes and allow extra time for passport control checks to avoid delays.

The European Entry Exit System is being gradually introduced for travellers using Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover, currently applying to coach passengers and lorry drivers.

The strong growth in demand for travel is driving renewed calls for expansion at several UK airports.

Heathrow Airport reported its busiest January on record, with 6.5 million passengers, a 2% increase compared to the same month last year.

Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye emphasized the need for expansion, stating that the airport may lose its position as Europe's largest airport in 2026 without increased capacity.

However, recent government decisions to support expansion at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton Airports have faced opposition due to concerns about their impact on local communities, climate, and the environment.

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan opposes Heathrow expansion, and campaigners have challenged the expansion of Gatwick Airport in the High Court, citing climate and noise concerns.

Climate scientist Dr Ella Gilbert noted that air travel is one of the most carbon-intensive forms of transport, contributing to rising temperatures and extreme weather events.

She explained that every degree of heating leads to a 7% increase in the atmosphere's water-holding capacity, resulting in wetter winters and more frequent extreme events.

Dr Gilbert warned that this pattern is expected to continue as the climate shifts, with the UK already experiencing wetter winters due to global warming.