AIRASIA TO STRENGTH BRAND IN GLOBAL MART

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Low-cost carrier, AirAsia Bhd, will
continue to invest in advertising to strengthen its brand in the global
market.

Its group chief executive officer, Tony Fernandes, said AirAsia would
improve its services and continue to be innovative in order to become a
premium low-cost carrier.

"We are not going to cut spending on advertising. In fact, we will increase
it. My next goal is to make AirAsia as good as a premium carrier," he told a
media briefing at the two-day Global Brand Forum Malaysia here Thursday.

Fernandes said the airline would not change its model but would supplement
it where possible.

"Our branding statement for 2009 is that we are not just a low-cost
carrier," he said.

On whether AirAsia has any plans for merger and acquisition, Fernandes said
the airline would continue to grow organically.

He said AirAsia expected a fantastic fourth quarter.

"By removing the fuel surcharge, the carrier has managed to enhance its
growth," he said.

Earlier, Fernandes received the Brand Icon Award for his achievement in the
airline industry from Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Najib said Fernandes was a creative man, an entrepreneur, a man with
vision and above all a man who made it happen.

"He has raised Malaysia's standard in the global arena. I hope someday I
can
fly with AirAsia," he said.

Others who had received the award were Al Gore, former US Vice President
and
Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia.
-- BERNAMA