ENDORSEMENT FROM DR M PROUDEST MOMENT FOR AIRASIA, SAYS AIRASIA CEO

ENDORSEMENT FROM DR M PROUDEST MOMENT FOR AIRASIA, SAYS AIRASIA CEO
By M. Saraswathi

PUTRAJAYA, June 18 (Bernama) -- No-frills airline, AirAsia, Saturday
received all the publicity and endorsement for its phenomenal growth in over a
decade from none other than Malaysia's visionary leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister suggested Saturday that AirAsia should fly to
African countries, saying that the world’s fastest growing low-cost carrier was
capable of boosting travel and trade between Kuala Lumpur and the continent.

He said this in his keynote address at the Malaysia-Africa Business Forum
here Saturday in the run-up to the three-day Langkawi International Dialogue
(LID) 2011 which starts Sunday.

"Dr Mahathir is the father of modern Malaysia and he has been one of
Malaysia’s greatest visionary leaders. He gave me, Kamarudin Meranun,
Aziz Bakar and Pahamin Rejab the chance to start AirAsia.

"To hear him say such great things about us, I've to say that it's one of my
and AirAsia staff proudest days," said AirAsia group chief executive officer
Tony Fernandes to Bernama when contacted.

Kamarudin described Dr Mahathir's remarks with regard to the airline as an
honour and an endorsement of what the company had built throughout the years.

He said this was made more significant coming from a man of Dr Mahathir's
stature.

"It was a pleasant surprise and honour to the whole group," he said, adding
that he was almost lost for words in describing his joy over Dr Mahathir's
comments.

Dr Mahathir, who initiated the LID, told the business forum participants
that AirAsia was the better bet in enhancing connectivity between Malaysia and
Africa.

Dr Mahathir, who earlier this year visited AirAsia headquarters where he
was briefed on the airline’s business model, said he was amazed with the kind of
promotions AirAsia was able to do, including offering free seats.

Alluding to the airline's "Now Everyone Can Fly" tagline, he said AirAsia
could bring Malaysia and African nations closer.

Dr Mahathir also highlighted the role of low-cost hotels in revving up
tourism and business activities.

Since 2001, AirAsia has swiftly broken travel norms around the globe and has
risen to become the world’s best.

With a route network that spans through more than 20 countries, AirAsia
continues to pave the way for low-cost aviation through innovative solutions,
efficient processes and a passionate approach to business.

It has three associate companies, namely, AirAsia X, Thai AirAsia and
Indonesia AirAsia.

-- BERNAMA