Tony Fernandes CEO Blog

Hello Tony, why doesn't airasia supply blankets for a fee? The plane is very cold! Rent it for RM5 and I am happy to get 1. :D

Wow! Very impress with this features on your blog!!

Thanks for being so forthcoming. I have a few things to ask you but I will be leaving it towards the rest of the year. One of which is Penang. How come Negeri Sembilan gets an LCCT when Penang offers more than what it can offer? Since it is a Pakatan state, I think AirAsia should continue to get in touch with Lim Guan Eng. He offers more than what the country has to offer. I think it's only fair you do that.

Hi Tony! Happy New Year! Look forward to more of your posts :)

Lisa

Hey Tony busy Fernandes!

Long time no chat. How's it going mate. Love your blog mate. Happy new year to all!

Great to see you included a website chat!

I recently had a trip to SG. to meet with some Singapore Startups of e27 and Google Hackathon.
One of the entrepreneurial startup we met along with MDEC has developed a really good website chat system which links to your MSN, Yahoo, Meebo and mails.

it's a really cool and brings interactive to another level.

Do check it out. it's called Zopim. They're giving out Beta tests.

peace.
A

Yo Tony, I have had this question - whats up with Southwestern Airlines. We all know that this is the best run airlines, with a business model similar to Air Asia yet the stock has underpeformed Delta or AMR. It cant be down to the service, Prof Damodaran once told us how when the entertainment system was down on one of its flights, the sterwardess actually told jokes for about an hour. Compare this with American Airllines, of whom staff will only do what their job details entails - like a sterwardess won't even check a passenger in. Cost structure wise, they don't have the same operational and financial gearing as the rest. Truth be told the off balance sheet commitments of AMR looks like a horror story. Well as to Air Asia, the whole hedging episode should serve as a painful lesson. I did the analysis of then entire oil market from 2000 - 2008, it was clear that supply and demand did not change much, the whole China and India story being a big big lie. Yes China did increase energy consumption by 70% - but the effect on global demand was negligible. Truth be told, it was the oil swap dealers who had pushed the price up, thats the only factor that showed an exponential increase that could explain the rise in the price of oil. For sometime i had wanted to write a proposal to your kindself. Still there in my head, but what I see is Air Asia leveraging its brand as a sort of lifestyle experience - it means cafes, internet sites, perhaps even a mobile community experience. Still in my head though, Best regards, and don't worry about the brickbats. WJK

Ahoy Tony!!! Did not know that i gota register to comment.. Just got it done!! Thanks for the blog mate!! Good Luck. More questions will be coming from me soon!! Guru

Dear Tony, All things (negative) said about Air Asia (AA) I must say that AA has enabled so many like me to fly to regional destinations at affordable prices. So what's the fuss about AA offering fares at 10sen. If AA can manage with that, then so be it. These people who complain....are they shareholders of AA? If so then voice their reservations at AA. EGM or company briefings or offer some positive suggestions which benefits both consumers and company. if they are not shareholders, then what's your problem? Are your pockets emptied by what Air Asia has done thus far?

Hi, Tony I am becoming increasingly concerned about Malaysia's international competitiveness (or the lack thereof). Sadly, the powers-that-be seem not to be concerned about this. I hope that this complacency will not be followed by a rude shock. Aseambankers, according to a Bloomberg report in today's Singapore Business Times (http://www.businesstimes.com.sg), has predicted that Malaysia's GDP may only grow 1.5% in 2009 (vs a government forecast of 3.5% growth). Job losses in Malaysia are also expected to increase this year. A report in the Biz Times said that the Malaysian Employers Federation is projecting 200,000-400,000 job losses this year, mainly in the manufacturing sector The same report said that of the estimated 2.1 million people employed in the Malaysian manufacturing sector, slightly more than 1/3 are low-skilled foreign workers, who may be among the first to be retrenched. How did the country get into a situation where there are so many low-skilled foreign workers in the manufacturing sector? Add in the fact that Human Resources Minister S Subramaniam has estimated that about 300,000 Malaysians work in Singapore, mainly in that country's manufacturing sector. These Malaysians could be among the first to be laid off if Singapore's economy continues to show negative growth (it is already in a technical recession). Another uncomfortable fact: the US Department of Commerce in it's report on American multinational corporations (MNCs) operations in 2006 shows that average value added in 2006 for employees of US MNCs operating in Malaysia was US$58,662. The corresponding figure for Singapore was US$144,251. The average compensation in 2006 for employees of US MNCs operating in Malaysia was US$11,655 (Singapore US$37,831). US MNCs in Malaysia in 2006 contributed 5.2% in value added to Malaysia's GDP (the corresponding figure for Singapore was 12.5% of Singapore's GDP). What it means is that Malaysia has been getting the low-end of US foreign direct investments (primarily low value-added labour intensive) with the high value-added US FDI going to the likes of Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia and South Korea. It doesn't say very much for our investment promotion authorities and policies, does it? The Singapore government is mulling drastic measures to stimulate the domestic economy in the forthcoming 2009 Budget. Several recommendations have been put forward by banks, consultancies and MNCs in Singapore. These include - a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 18% to 17% - a reduction in the top personal income tax rate from 20% to 18% - a "tax amnesty window" for foreign-sourced income remitted back to Singapore - income tax rebates for the middle and lower-income groups in Singapore - a scheme to defer payment of income tax by those who have been retrenched and who are actively seeking work (from the Singapore Business Times, Jan 6) The point is that Singapore has the financial muscle and the accumulated budget surpluses to be able to implement these types of stimuli. Could Malaysia even contemplate reducing it's corporate tax rate to 17% and top personal income tax rate to 18%? How are we going to compete with the likes of Singapore and the other countries who are cutting taxes and implementing incentives to keep their economies growing and to keep attracting foreign investments and talent? Like I wrote at the beginning of this post, the lack of any sense of urgency and the absence of concrete measures to address the impact of the global economic, financial and credit crisis on Malaysia is alarming. Or could it be that the country does not have the financial muscle and the political will to implement the necessary corrective measures and reforms?

That's a really good function for getting more comments, Tony!!! By the way, Happy New Year!!

Hi Tony, After 72 hours, and countless of cigarattes, I have been able to answer the question - are you a great man in charge of a great business or not... the answer is over here http://padedoh.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/buy-air-asia/ Look forward to your comments.... WJK

Hi Tony, Forgot to wish you Happy New Year. BTW I have a few concerns regarding AA flights which I will forward to your special email. Cheers!

Dear Tony, Is it certain that in Sabah, the sector of flying between Kota Kinabalu and Labuan is no longer available ? I s this section a lack of good response. As far I can see, this sector by Airasia is beneficial to Labuanites and Sabah. Can you see why stop this sector by Airasia

bro, Tiger - Incheon could not happen , but i think budget airline in korea market will boom , any planning to conquer korea bro ? - u know market better .. all the best

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Dear Tony, A Very Happy New Year 2009 To You and Family. Allowing to say: : Because of AirAsia ,Now Everyone Can Fly . : Because of Tony Fernandes, I Can Fly Now...! Thank you very much ,Sir..Yo are truly amazing..! May God bless you in all your undertakings......! @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Hi Tony, whatever says should be responded and not just vetted for publishing alone Hope this can show improvement and this suggestion should not be seem offensive and be view positively. Thanks. Raymond

I will. Thanks Toni.

hi Tony, Happy New Year.... and also a Happy Chinese New Year.. wish you have a happy, healthy and prosperity year .

Happy Chinese New Year~ May the Year of Golden Ox brings more prosperity and success!

Hey Tony, keep up the good work for both AirAsia as well as this blog, and have a Happy Chinese New Year!

Dear Tony, Greetings from Sabah! Being a well-run Air line, I bought more AirAsia shares. I hope it is at its rock bottom now, and that it will soon go up. We enjoyed the low fare flight to Macau previously. You also facilitate the low fare travel locally in Sabah, which saves our pocket tremendously. You are doing a good job for all of us, and the humanity, making all of us could afford to go abroad, which other wise is impossible. Best wishes. Daniel

hi tony, i am nobody. the way i see it one of your management style is that you like to listen to other people's idea. heii if you have anything, that you are not so sure of especially on your course of making decision. mail me let me know. i'll give you my point of view.

Hi Tony,

I love travelling. I'm starting to travel now. This year I am sure to go Europe. Yeah.... I was very happy when you announced AirAsia to London now during last year!

Could you please go everywhere so that I can go every country with cheaper or cheapest fares? hehehe....

Hi Tony, Glad to know you are enjoying Twenty20. May I know the IT company that developed Airasia web check in application? Many thanks.

Dear Tony, I was a regular customer to AA especially after I have relocated to work in China in aviation industry. First and foremost, I would very much appreciate AA for providing budget airline for me and my colleagues to fly to and fro from Shenzhen and KL. Recently, I have visited London and noticed that their train system allow open ticket, whereby a customer after purchased the ticket, can decide as and when he/she wanted to take the train, of course with term and condition. It makes me think why not this happen to airline as well? As I will fly back to KL from Shenzhen very often, 5-6 times yearly, together with my colleagues, I am wondering if AA able to provide some flexibility in scheduling our flight to/fro KL after we have purchased yearly air tickets? Hope to hear your comments soon. Take care Best regards, Keng Siang

Tony, Congratulations for Air Asia being awarded Brand of the Year by Media. It is a pity I do not have an opportunity to meet you in my home ground. Limei