Getting Back to all of you
Sep 09, 2008
| Categories: Business & Entrepreneurs, Customers, Others |
Hi Everyone,
Firstly, thank you for giving me such a warm welcome to the world of blogging. I must say I really enjoyed reading the 150 comments and emails.
I have so much to say but I will start by trying to cover some of the comments raised by all of you.
Please call me Tony, so that's what I would like to be called. This is me, not a ghostwriter so pardon the typos and poor grammar. Just returned form London and went to watch basketball (my next project an Asean Basketball League - will tell you all about it soon) and today went to watch the Women's World Cup of Table Tennis as AirAsia was a sponsor.
Back to your comments. I will use this blog to share my experiences, give my views and share some of my inner thoughts on life and business.
I hope to meet many of you as you've requested and I'm always around the airport or planes so just come and say hi. You may also see me at a Tune Hotel. Someone asked did I play Ping Pong, yes I did. Love the game. My main sports were Rugby Cricket and Hockey. Now I play the odd game of football and Squash.
Many of you have sent suggestions on AirAsia and complaints. I've set up an email for this and it's tony@tonyfernandesblog.com.
I would like to suggest that you use this email to send your suggestions or ideas or complaints to me. Would be easier for me to reply and I will reply. You can also send to the AirAsia Blog or Guest Support at AirAsia.
Follow up:
We have grown so big that we are struggling to answer all your queries but please bear with us at AirAsia as we'll be upgrading the call centre and also bringing in new web technology to dealing with all these queries.
So if you want to be a pilot, give me suggestions like new routes, feedback about our service that's the email. That way we can keep the blog focused on the the thoughts and comments that I bring up.
Healthy and positive discussions on the Brain Drain. My next two posts will be on my recent trip to London on my Fave airline (hahahaha) and on football. Both are comments linked to business.
Tomorrow, I am off to Singapore for the Forbes Global CEO where I'll be making a speech. If it is interesting, I will post something on it. Pictures tell a million words and learning from people like KennySia, I will try to add some photos with my post.
Finally to Chris Chan, I'm proud that we have supported you a fellow Malaysian Company and many more and to Dr Jafri, education is my passion and I will post many thoughts on that in the ensuring months. Love your passion Sir of excelling,
Bye for now.
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44 comments
Dato',
Nice to see you blogging. I'm a newbie as well and I blog just about anything under the sun, except for politics
I hope to read more of your personal experiences. Hopefully it will be as good as your book.
Welcome to the blogging community!
-AmRaN-
Nice to see you blogging. I'm a newbie as well and I blog just about anything under the sun, except for politics
I hope to read more of your personal experiences. Hopefully it will be as good as your book.
Welcome to the blogging community!
-AmRaN-
Tony,
"This is me, not a ghostwriter so pardon the typos and poor grammar"
This is what makes you and all 'real bloggers' special. We are unique!
I am looking forward to the discussion on the Brain Drain.
Cheers
Dear Datuk,
Greetings!
As much as I would like to address you as Tony as you have requested, I just can't bring bring myself to call you as such. I suppose it is part of the Asian cultute that I am
brought up. But I really think it is the respect and deference I have of your stature
that I will address you as Datuk, at least for the moment and a considerable period of time to come.
I am in my early 50's and currently work as the Director of Project Development
on Mid Valley City projects. I had completed my MBA and is currently working on
my PhD in Business Administration. Guess what Datuk? I am working on my
dissertation entiltled: "How deregulation of the Malaysian airline industry fosters
entrepreneurial behaviour, Innovation and strategies -- An Instrumental Case
Study of AirAsia".
For months I had thought I will just make do with whatever secondary data that
are already available in the public domain for my dissertation. I was overjoyed
to read in your post that I can just walk up to you and have some exchanges.
Please take from me that I am NOT thinking of cornering you into giving me an
interview for my dissertation (There are already many gems in the various
intreviews you had given over the years), however it would certainly be great for
me to obtain some quotable quotes from you with a photograph or so thrown in
to enhance the visual appeal of my dissertation.
Thank you Datuk for your passion for education and the open invitation to just
walk up to you while you are having the "walk-about" at the airport or around
planes.
Be seeing you.
chen
Tony,
What is the next uniqueness it goin to be ? A Floating Port for Energy Trade 1st in ASIA ?
Dear Tony
Like Dr.M, we want to hear the real Tony, not some sanitised PR version usually
found in the MSM spin-world and biz magazines.
If I had my drutthers, I don't want to know about your travel itenerary or that
accidentally on purpose slip up about attending '...Forbes conference.' I am not
impressed. We know that most (99.99%) of the world'sCEO's haven't a clue - and
that includes Warren Buffet & Bill Gates - about where the world markets or
economy are headed, as proven by the turmoil of the last 12-24 months.
So, let's hear some real meaty stuff from you. What are your politics, where you
think we are headed as a nation and your frank opinion on things are that
happening in local politics, your like and dislikes etc.
You did not get to being an entrepreneur in the Malaysian dog-eat-dog world by
not cutting corners. So, don't come across as someone in whose mouth sugar
will not melt.
I hope this does not come across as too hard-hitting from someone you don't,
or as being unfair. But please don't let your blog become a homily for all sorts of
wonderful homespun philosophy and how wonderful our Govt and country is. We
have too much of that kind of defensive, cloying-sickening stuff oreddy! Let's
hear the real Tony Fernandez - dreamer, swashbuckler and pirate, the stuff of
legends.
from one of the little people:
Like Dr.M, we want to hear the real Tony, not some sanitised PR version usually
found in the MSM spin-world and biz magazines.
If I had my drutthers, I don't want to know about your travel itenerary or that
accidentally on purpose slip up about attending '...Forbes conference.' I am not
impressed. We know that most (99.99%) of the world'sCEO's haven't a clue - and
that includes Warren Buffet & Bill Gates - about where the world markets or
economy are headed, as proven by the turmoil of the last 12-24 months.
So, let's hear some real meaty stuff from you. What are your politics, where you
think we are headed as a nation and your frank opinion on things are that
happening in local politics, your like and dislikes etc.
You did not get to being an entrepreneur in the Malaysian dog-eat-dog world by
not cutting corners. So, don't come across as someone in whose mouth sugar
will not melt.
I hope this does not come across as too hard-hitting from someone you don't,
or as being unfair. But please don't let your blog become a homily for all sorts of
wonderful homespun philosophy and how wonderful our Govt and country is. We
have too much of that kind of defensive, cloying-sickening stuff oreddy! Let's
hear the real Tony Fernandez - dreamer, swashbuckler and pirate, the stuff of
legends.
from one of the little people:
It must be a long day for you sir. Thank you for sharing (still) after a long night you have spent at the stadium.
Congratulations to your blog. Your effort is highly appreciated. Wish you all the best and wish your AA dream spreads higher and further.
Greetings datuk...
I hope you can share a lot on how to setup a business coz I'm thinking of doing business that can benefits all the Malaysian like you airlines,Tesco or Carrefour.Currently I'm studying at INTI-UC doing my ADTP majoring in Business Administration under JPA scholarship.Hope you can share your priceless experience with all of us.
Thank you.
Greetings datuk...
I hope you can share a lot on how to setup a business coz I'm thinking of doing business that can benefits all the Malaysian like your airlines,Tesco or Carrefour.Currently I'm studying at INTI-UC doing my ADTP majoring in Business Administration under JPA scholarship.Hope you can share your priceless experience with all of us.
Thank you.
I hope you can share a lot on how to setup a business coz I'm thinking of doing business that can benefits all the Malaysian like your airlines,Tesco or Carrefour.Currently I'm studying at INTI-UC doing my ADTP majoring in Business Administration under JPA scholarship.Hope you can share your priceless experience with all of us.
Thank you.
Hi my model CEO. Welcome to the blog world.
I m looking forward more opportunity to learn from you through this channel.
BTW, you are invited to visit my blog www.6sigmaforum.blogspot.com
I like to talk about "Quality Improvement", "Management" and "Cost ($)"
Appreciate you for sharing ur down to earth thoughts through your blog and I'm looking forward to all your upcoming entries.
Finally, you're truly an example and inspiring CEO for all of us Malaysians.
Keep it up Tony!
Tony, do visit my blog sometime if you have the time. Its at www.joechelliah.blogspot.com In it you may find my thoughts and writings on music, education and general stuff. Cheers man.
Hi Uncle Tony. It's hard to meet a person like you face to face but it's really true that you are always around the airport. I met you before while waiting for my turn to check in at LCCT, I even took a picture with you. No doubt you are the most friendly and warmth CEO. Anyway, appreciate you for sharing your thoughts and enjoy reading your blog. Congratulations for your blog and look forward to read more about Air Asia and your thoughts here.
Hi Dato' Good to see you in Blogspace.
If we drive past the main Kuantan to Pekan road, there is a big parking compound for the toast look AVP JUARA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_Juara
JUARA is a flop to Proton, I think Malaysian does not accept Tall Boy concept. Anyway, my idea is why put some GPS/GSM tracking devices in the vehicle, some kind of smart card based lock and ignition system, new spray with big bold "smart car rental" kind of sticker around the vehicle, - it can provide some ego relief to most Malaysian that perceive car as status symbol. One can just pick any available vehicle on the parking lot and start the charging. Cheers
If we drive past the main Kuantan to Pekan road, there is a big parking compound for the toast look AVP JUARA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_Juara
JUARA is a flop to Proton, I think Malaysian does not accept Tall Boy concept. Anyway, my idea is why put some GPS/GSM tracking devices in the vehicle, some kind of smart card based lock and ignition system, new spray with big bold "smart car rental" kind of sticker around the vehicle, - it can provide some ego relief to most Malaysian that perceive car as status symbol. One can just pick any available vehicle on the parking lot and start the charging. Cheers
Dear Tony,
Nice to see you that blogging. Hopefully you can share all you experiences, its nice to heard it coming first hand from the person itself rather then being pen by another person in magazines/books or even newspapers.
AirAsia is really the next company im planning to work for :) its really cool, fun and the culture that you all foster there is something that is missing from most of the companies.
Anyway hope you will be bloggin more frequently :) congrats on all the achievements and good luck in all the upcoming projects that you are venturing into :)
"Fave" airline . . . now thats funny! Of course you know you have to say that with an "accentuated accent." Here they use "Valley or New York. ahem . . . Re Asean basketball and slang . . . look forward to your adventures on "bricks being thrown at the hoop!"
Howdy Tony!!
It's great to see you jumping into the blogosphere. I bet you are going to have lots of fun here, and I am very sure that people reading your blog will have a good time too! I for one, are looking forward to check out your blog from time to time.
It's nice to see a prominent entrepreneur spending time posting articles on the informal side of your life. I mean, this is the best chance for us Malaysians to connect to you personally. If business schools are teaching the students on how to connect to people, then "blogging" should be part of the syllabus.
By the way, are you intending to create a facebook account?
It would be an honour if I can add you as my friend. :)
Hi Tony,
Wanted to let you know that my family and I had a good trip to Vietnam. I had a mini vacation out of my vacation in Malaysia. The price was reasonable and love the flight. I have 2 q though:-
1) Compared to KLIA or even the old Subang Domestic Airport, the Low Cost Airport looks really bad. Why is it this way? Is this how we cut cost? It really looks like I am in some country that has not developed yet. What are your thoughts about this?
2) Why are passengers does not have assigned seats? I dislike the rush. Feels like little kids rushing for candies in the store. It would be great if seats numbers are assigned giving us more pleasurable experience especially with elderly parents and kids on tow.
Hope you had a great time in Singapore for the Forbes Global CEO.
Another thing I forgot to add.. thank you thank you thank you for having AirAsia. Now I can go back to my hometown in Miri nearly every month thanks to the cheap ticket from AirAsia. Previously with MAS i had to fork out around Rm400 one WAY!! or RM400 on a stanby (student) ticket... thank god Airasia is here.. now my parents can come and visit me in KL and viceversa I can go back whenever there are cheap tickets offered by Airasia.
Of course with airasia ive visitted langkawi.. been to kota bharu.. terengannu.. kuching.. kk.. (talk abt cuti cuti malaysia eh ;-) ) and recently i just came back from a holiday in Bali.. all on Airasia.. next target is gold coast :)
Come on people.
This is not a complaint site. Don't submit your grievance here. Pleasant day
This is not a complaint site. Don't submit your grievance here. Pleasant day
Greeting Tony,
I'm so shock that a busy man like you have time for blog. Keep it up!
I'll follow your post because I admire your success and wish that 1 day I would be able to be like you :D
Take care.
Regards,
Tan
I'm so shock that a busy man like you have time for blog. Keep it up!
I'll follow your post because I admire your success and wish that 1 day I would be able to be like you :D
Take care.
Regards,
Tan
Hi Tony!
My friends made this video during one of their advertising class. I thought it'd be a good idea to share it with you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0ftTdMtSr8
AirAsia, now everyone can fly!
My friends made this video during one of their advertising class. I thought it'd be a good idea to share it with you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0ftTdMtSr8
AirAsia, now everyone can fly!
Good evening Datuk,
Good to see that you do play squash. I'm a squash coach myself. =)
I said you were handsome in my previous blog post here:
http://wallaby-michy.blogspot.com/2008/08/this-is-awesome.html
Wakakaka! That was because YOU DID SUCH A FANTASTIC JOB with bringing Air Asia to Melbourne! You rock my socks! :D
Hi Tony,
Hope we will be able to pick up some of your savvy entrepreneur tips from time to time.
Thanks
DAC
Greeting...I can't get myself to just call u Tony, but the most I could do is Mr. Tony.
AirAsia had been a tough competition to Mas Airlines for these years...I would like to sincerely congratulate on the success on bringing such a successful marketing plan against the monopoly of Mas.
I would like to point out that donplaypuks have a point on having a "real" tony fernandes on this blog rather than having the PR version of it. However, it does not have to go into sensitive issue like politics. This is because we must respect and understand that local politics and the life of the upper class in M'sia are linked indirectly as many politicians could pull strings behind the veil of media.
This is a normal scenario and I would like to ask the likes of "donplaypuks" to understand. However there are other things that comments and Mr. Tony's point of view could lead us readers to understand or highlight certain issue.
Cheers and hopefully a new post would be posted up vry soon ^^
AirAsia had been a tough competition to Mas Airlines for these years...I would like to sincerely congratulate on the success on bringing such a successful marketing plan against the monopoly of Mas.
I would like to point out that donplaypuks have a point on having a "real" tony fernandes on this blog rather than having the PR version of it. However, it does not have to go into sensitive issue like politics. This is because we must respect and understand that local politics and the life of the upper class in M'sia are linked indirectly as many politicians could pull strings behind the veil of media.
This is a normal scenario and I would like to ask the likes of "donplaypuks" to understand. However there are other things that comments and Mr. Tony's point of view could lead us readers to understand or highlight certain issue.
Cheers and hopefully a new post would be posted up vry soon ^^
Hi Mr Tony,
I'm Steven and if you remember, I did e-mail you about my wish to joining the cadet pilot programme under Airasia. It's good to see you being part of the blogosphere, you do keep your words.
I just want to thank you a lot for the replies you made to me although one of your staff replied me with an e-mail telling me to try to apply for the programme during the next intake. So, I guess I'll have to wait for the chance to come before I can try to grab it.
Good luck in all your undertakings and also to Airasia.
Best regards,
Steven
http://steventsh.blogspot.com
I'm Steven and if you remember, I did e-mail you about my wish to joining the cadet pilot programme under Airasia. It's good to see you being part of the blogosphere, you do keep your words.
I just want to thank you a lot for the replies you made to me although one of your staff replied me with an e-mail telling me to try to apply for the programme during the next intake. So, I guess I'll have to wait for the chance to come before I can try to grab it.
Good luck in all your undertakings and also to Airasia.
Best regards,
Steven
http://steventsh.blogspot.com
Congratulation Dato' ,hope to hear more new things and update from you..
CEO in the house! Welcome to the world of blogging....I will be sitting back awaiting for your words of wisdom and discoveries in this wild world we live in :)
Datuk,
I must say you are one of the most to-be-admired CEO and most-inspired CEO around.
Appreciate your great idea and leadership to expand AirAsia's business to one of the biggest in this region, and opsss, biggest in the world.
Would like to hear from you again.
See ya.
I must say you are one of the most to-be-admired CEO and most-inspired CEO around.
Appreciate your great idea and leadership to expand AirAsia's business to one of the biggest in this region, and opsss, biggest in the world.
Would like to hear from you again.
See ya.
Dear Dato,
It's nice to know that this blog is represents the real you and not some PR people. You have been my favourite entrepreneur. You are an inspiration to those who want to ''FLY. Hope to hear your thoughts and experiences.
This is the first time I ever validated an account to comment on a blog. LOL
I fly at least twice (if not thrice, 4 times this month alone) on AirAsia every month, and you are opening up more routes than I can fly to.
And I just want to say~~~ "Hi Tony~!"
regards,
Nicole
nicolekiss.blogspot.com
I fly at least twice (if not thrice, 4 times this month alone) on AirAsia every month, and you are opening up more routes than I can fly to.
And I just want to say~~~ "Hi Tony~!"
regards,
Nicole
nicolekiss.blogspot.com
TONY I LOVE YOUU!!!! Please do not misunderstand, not in a gay sense.................. YOUR THE CHAMPION OF ENTREPRENEURS ALL AROUND THE WORLDD!!! Thriving in the most competitive business in the world.!!!! You have brought change and that is what defines an entrepreneur.!!!! I'd like to see AirAsia participate in every part of the economy. BRING DOWN PRICES THE FERNANDES WAY!!
It's our luck to have Dato Tony to the blogsphere. Finally got a chance to read a famous Malaysian CEO’s blog :)
You better get the london route up soon. I am excited cos in May 2009 my whole family is looking forward to flying there to visit my son studying in university. And for you, you can fly to watch your favourate football team.
Hi Dato' I truly enjoy reading your comments here and in every article that appears in our daily papers. You are an inspiration to us and I am looking forward to more .
Cheers!
Dear Tony,
I recently flew from KL to Melb and just knew you would like some balanced customer feedback:-
Positives
* The flight was quick to board and on time and landed well and had me home in Melbourne without delay
*Service on-board was efficient, friendly, professional and regular.
* Meals:-The one I ordered was lovely actually and the one I purchased later in the flight was also good
*Very clean in cabin and toilets.
Negatives
*Is was incredibly cold, unusually so for longhaul flights which are usually comfortably warm. I was freezing and I had on trousers, shirt and a sweater. Others complained too about how cold it was but the attendants stated it was a regulated temp.
*The Air Asia blanket doesnt out weigh the cold. Maybe if I had purchased 2 blankets I would have been comfortable.
*Non-recline seats. My seat only slide forward 3 centrimetres ( I measured) and I found it was not ergonomic with backs. It slides forward but one's angle of the body doesnt compliment the angle. If I had brought a pillow I would need to place it under the angle of my body to compensate.
Unfortunately Tony, the negatives far outweighed the positives this time for my longhaul 7+hours flight to Melbourne. I was icy cold most of the way and uncomfortable.
As Im flying back to KL on the night time flight in 2 weeks time I will be bringing with me
1)My own travel blanket (far warmer then the Air Asia blanket)
2)A warm woollen ski hat (as my ears, face and neck were dreadfully cold)
3) A pillow to compensate for the ergonomic fault with the slide forward chairs)
Please note Tony, I enjoy other things about Air Asia but I know how much you consider customer feedback that is constructive.
If Air Asia is going to be doing longhaul flights for some time AND competing with others around them like SIA and MAS then temperature of cabins and seats go much much further then food and inflight entertainment.
Many thanks though for the Airline and the competition it has created in and around Malaysia.
cheers
Gordon Reid
Melbourne (28/5/09)
Hello Tony,
With onfMalaysia issuing a travel warning to people travelling to Melbourne due to the H1N1 Swine flu, would it not be in Air Asia's interest to make sure your long haul flights are comfortably warm instead of icy cold? As with my previous entry, my flight to Melbourne was uncomfortably cold. This wasnt acceptable to many passengers as I mentioned.
Being the head of Air Asia Tony, could you please,please,please...make sure those involved with air cabin temperature raise it to comfortably warm like is standard on other long haul airlines.
An icy cold cabin may increase your profits oh-so slightly with purchase of blankets but it make passengers uncomfortable.
I feel with the current fears of H1N1, especially coming out of Melbourne that all your flights from Melbourne to KL have the cabin temperature raised. Colds and Flu and cold air con go perfectly together, people cough and sneeze more thus I feel it is a potential health hazard to have it so cold.
Im coming back to KL on D72723 on the 12th June and Im hoping and expecting to me comfortably warm. For the sake of keeping bums on seats Tony, surely this is in your interest.
Many thanks
Gordon Reid
Melbourne
Tony,
I had the fortunate experience of being on board the same flight with you once. Apart from being like a movie star on board with the attention the passengers gave you, I must say you are one one of the most prominently different and "Human" of the Industry Captain level. You went to every seat to thank your passengers personally for flying with Air Asia....
Thank you for putting a Malaysian Company on the worldwide platform and ultimately Malaysia as well....
OMG!!!!i cant imagine that a man with so many works and committments have time to check out his blog......wait ..wait....first of all...hes having a blog.thats wat impressed me.hands off to u sir....
great achievement sir!.will you sponsored my wedding?? haha..just kidding.anyway, good luck for the next level of business achievement. I admire your leadership attitude. ^_^
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