Tony Fernandes CEO Blog

Nice to see more people recognized AirAsia's effort and the work done in the past few years. As i have mentioned before, that Air Asia.has a great potential to grow, since Air Asia only concentrating on the ASEAN countries with a few non-ASEAN destinations, which is only 1/10 of the world, i guess. But as a whole, AirAsia's improvement are always needed, for example, creating new hubs for better efficency, better managment on flight and aircraft usage. These are the important thing to sort out. Also, as you always mention, KLIA will give a big opportunity for AirAsia have another big leap forward. By the time, when the system construction is done, I am sure AirAsia can dominate this market that the other traditional airline could not serve or don't plan to serve. But i can preview this is going to be a tough game and it will last for a certain period of time. So keep working on, Tony!!!

"The revolution has not yet succeeded. Work hard, comrades!"\
- Sun Yat Sen, The Chinese revolutionary leader, "Father of Modern China"

Dear Muliadi, Tony Fernandes already make most of our dreams come true not only for air travel but also for accomodation. Please check out www.tunehotels.com.

Hi Uncle Tony. Read your post :) It's a good thing to receive compliment with humble attitude. I like the way you're expressing your thoughts and sharings in this website. Think back, whenever I receive an email notifying that you've posteed a new post, I'd definately click on the link and view it. Regarding this post, I can feel your happiness receiving this compliment. Yesterday I went to Putrajaya. And then by using Maju Express, I went to LCCT. So far I have not be a customer of Air Asia but I'll be in June. I'll be going to Vietnam by Air Asia. Anticipating to take Air Asia! It took me about 4o km to LCCT from Putrajaya. Throughout the way, I was very anxious to "know" how LCCT would look like. When I arrive, I could see nothing but mountains of peoples carrying their luggage and waiting for taxis, depatures etc. It was not them alone. There was a mother with a daughter plus baby, some families of 10 members etc. Guess this is what the author of this letter pointing out - because of Air Asia, everyone can fly with their beloved. Thanks. I hope that Air Asia could grant more opportunites to people to fly higher and with more varities and worthwhile tour packages.

Sometimes, people can be real stupid and do not appreciate what they have. Many countries in Asia (e.g. Macau, Thailand, Indonesia) are very grateful and happy with what AirAsia is doing for their travel and tourism industries and the positive effect AirAsia has in their economies.

In Malaysia, we are doing our best to frustrate AirAsia's growth and progress. MAHB was supposed to have started building the permanent LCCT when the original temporary LCCT was completed. They failed to do so. As such, they are forced to waste money building an extension to the "temporary" LCCT.

Tony, I do hope you have some contingency plans (opening Penang and Phuket as hubs may help in some way) should MAHB not keep their word. Frankly, I cannot see the permanent LCCT being completed by 2010. Pray hard that I am wrong!

Hi Chief, Well done Mr. Tony :) i admire and applaud you for acknowledging Muliadi's letter (ASEAN), and in his own way he has put out a clear and moving message. So glad to have read it and thanks for sharing. Air Asia is the people's choice and many are moving towards a terminal like Air Asia just so happen low cost is what we need and i guess everyone needs it facing reality! It is time MAB face reality that people want Air Asia it is about what the people want as a whole. People abroad can travel to see their love ones. There is a sense of belonging from the people towards Air Asia. Action speaks louder than words, MAB might wanna take a closer look perhaps :) Chief, Air Asia need not prove anything, i would rather say the WORLD is beginning to see or have seen the capabilities and rapid expansion of Air Asia what more does MAB need? Whatever said and done/happens Air Asia is a winning team, not to be bias but it is what it is. Air Asia is waiting, people are waiting, how long do we need to wait? I pray support from their side comes in fast and it is a win win for all. Posting a simple but meaningful letter from Muliadi is something and that inspires the people. Thanks Muliadi for your sharing, it is true god works in mysteries ways, hang in there Mr.Tony he is just watching:). we don't find many top management people, willingly serving the customers and attending to their concerns, having blogs to keep us in the loop of things. Small deeds bring big changes and people want Air Asia. So keep the fire burning Tony good things will come to you and team Air Asia. Happy Easter! Will be boarding Air Asia for my ermm 4th or 5th time soon! hehe.. Cheerios to you and your team Air Asia.

Agree with Airasian! More specifically, Air Asia X will do good with Penang as their hub while Air Asia should use an expanded LCCT as their hub should MAHB not complete the permanent LCCT by 2010. If further delays and space constrains take place, Air Asia should limit destinations that are within a 3 hour period to depart from LCCT while the others should depart from Penang. Let's just hope such obstacles do not befall this great company and hopefully MAHB & the government will come to their senses and allow Air Asia X to depart from KLIA at a rational cost for a low-cost airline as judging by the progress of Air Asia X, I believe Air Asia and Air Asia X would overcrowd the permanent LCCT by the end of 2012. AJ

hi Tony. Airasia telah merubah minda kami bahawa naik kapal terbang adalah perkara yang amat mustahil, untuki orang kaya-kaya sahaja dan tambang amat mahal(pesepsi orang kampung saya sewaktu dahulu). Tapi sekarang mereka sudah berubah, sapa yang merubahnya...TQ Mr Tony. Dunia menjadi semakin kecil bila bersama Airasia. Semua tempat di dunia ni seharusnya kita nikmati. Dengan adanya Airsia...BELIEVE THE UNBELIEVABLE

Congrats Dato' Seri... and all the best with Tune Hotels too. hope can work on making lipas in the room some thing of the past tho. anyway, will still dig Air Asia & Tune Hotels. Thinking of a KK trip soon...

Dear Tony, Firstly, i would like to let u know that you are a guy who deserves hats off from the world.I am proud of you and your thinkings. Making travel such a great ease, being affordable and pleasure has widen lot of scale in travelling for all .keep up the great job. I am a frequent traveller with airasia as i am in business line and its really wonderful for me. I enjoy travelling alot and have explored alot with airasia..I was told that you would be opening doors to amritsar, punjab(India) and when would that take place as i am planning to bring my entire family to the holy land..do get back on this to me....i did appreciate it... Secondly, my son is so fond of joining the team of airasia by being a cabin crew and we are in kuching, sarawak as a matter of fact....how can he apply and he's 19 now ..is that ok for cabin crew... keep me informed on this. keep up the great job that you are doing and may god bless you always. thanks and god bless, manjeet sidhu

Dear Tony, I can understand your frustration in fact I also share your frustration. Our politicians do not make very good decisions. They are really messing up our education system and hindering the progress of AirAsia. Those days, I was praying hard that they will allow AirAsia to operate out of Subang Airport and then I was hoping that the Labu Airport would materialise but they just gave some stupid excuses for not allowing it. They are actually looking after their own interests, not that of the country as a whole. We can only wait and hope for changes to happen - for better airport efficiency to lower the cost of travel. Keep pushing them Tony.

hi datuk, im just back from sabah last week,went for a business trip!your airbus is super,more convenient,better then garuda,hahaah!so datuk,can u do sometin to the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (Ipoh),close soo long ready.i used to travel to indon n singapore,evetim i have to go to lcct,even for domestic we need a flight,hope u can come up with sometin,u can do it Tony,just matter of time & matter of money,allaboutmoney.bye

Dear Tony, I really salute to you! It's pretty hard to find such a CEO like you! I remembered seeing you walking around the airport smiling, greeting and chatting with passengers and staff. You do care how we feel, you do care how your staff are coping as well. People really respect you when they see such a nice and caring CEO. I clearly remember that nite when I was walking towards the plane for AirAsia X's very first operational flight, which is also it's maiden flight to Gold Coast...I saw you shaking hands with almost all of the passengers...as i approached you, i asked for your permission to snap a photo with you (...even tough I knew it was quite impossible as many more passengers behind me are waiting to board the plane)...to my surprise, you said "sure! but make it a quick one" and I'm truly appreciative about that (...i'm still keeping the photo and AAX maiden flight ticket to show my future generation of how great you are). Sir, you already did very much for us, Malaysians!...and you are trying harder and harder each day to do even more for us. We know what you've done, we know what difficulties you are facing AND please bear in mind that we are always there supporting you, hoping that you'll reap in more success in years to come!

Dear Tony Fernandez.. I'm so excited when i found this blog..becauce to me you are so "Wow!"..hebat..As we're student in UMS (Sabah), of course Air Asia is the 1st choice we choose to go back home-KL,Penang,Terengganu,etc..About half of UMS student are from Peninsular Malaysia. Since Air Asia always give us 'special promotion', we like to buy ticket earlier before holiday. So, sometimes the last exam paper before holiday changed and we must buy new ticket to go home..and not every person born in rich family. So, i have 1 suggestion..is that possible to get refund if we cancel the ticket just because of the Exam date changed?Untill now we already consider burn 3 ticket per person..13 Mei 2009, 20 Mei 2009 and 15 June 2009..hope you give us a 'hope'..to get the refund to buy new ticket again to go back home this semester break (June 2009). Hopefully this suggestion may keep the "student 1st choice' Air Plane to us..I'd appreciate to all of your considerations. Thank you very much..

Dear Tony There are millions of others like Muliadi who feel the same way. All of them are grateful to the Great Tony and his Team! And we feel pained to see MAHB attrocious attitude towards you! Continue to keep up the good work and we, the silent fans are behind your every move!

"Monopolies stifle and strangle innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship." I cannot agree with you more. Our country is good, but we could be and SHOULD be GREAT. We must not settle for being good. We must strive for being great. Inequitable policies are also causing our country to lose thousands of bright, intelligent, high educated Malaysians to other countries. Protectionism denies so many of us an equal opportunity to achieve. All we ask for is equal opportunity. Keep up the good fight, Tony!

Dear Tony Fernandez, This is truly so cool. Kudos to you and I second everything nice that has been mentioned. Truly, ever since Air Asia came into the scene, my family and I have been traveling more often and to places we once only dreamt of going. Now, we've been there and back, all because of your efforts to make travel affordable so that everyone can fly! I read somewhere that you are where you are because you listen, and this is just another avenue for feedback, which is really great because I would like to bring to your attention my mother's plight dealing with GoInsure or Multipurpose Insurance. On June 21st, we went to Bandung, and on that first night, after dinner, my poor mom was a victim of pickpockets at Paris van Java. When my mother realised that her wallet was gone, she was totally distressed not only because of the loss of money, but also because she lost her credit cards and IC, not to mention money that we didn't allow her to spend on treating us dinner and so on because we said that this was our treat for her. If not for us, she would have been completely helpless and a destitute. She really lost her mood and we spent our first night out at the security guard post to make a report and later at the local police station to make the report official. When we got back to Malaysia, someone asked, "Didn't you buy insurance?" and I said, "Yes, we did." and it was only then the thought that my mom could recover some her of losses came into mind. My mom said, "Wow, next time, whenever we travel, we must make sure we get insurance." She felt a little hopeful now that she knew at least she could get back some money. So I contacted Goinsure because I was the one who purchased the tickets, and I was told how to go about making the claim and that it would take 10 working days to process the claim. Some days later, my mom received a call from Ms Jaime to verify the details in the form and that I had to fax all the documents again because the documents were not clear the first time they received them. We waited but there was no news from Goinsure, my mom tried to contact them and finally got through. She was told to talk to Jenny because Jaime wasn't in but Jenny was engaged. She called again and after several attempts, she got through and spoke to someone whom she recognised as Jaime, who promised to get back to my mom and till now, my mom is still waiting for that call. She then wrote an email but there was no reply, and then we sent another and by then we discovered through my dad's credit card statement (because my mom is his supplementary), that there were two transactions made amounting to nearly IDR2 million, most probably done before the card was cancelled on that same night. And again, silence. I just wanted to know if I needed to fax the statement to them to fortify the claim. But, no response. The claim is actually less than what my mom lost, because she so totally did not expect to recover anything, and in her distraught mind, she didn't give the actual amount she lost. Anyway, after some time we sent a 3rd email to mention how disappointed we were not to receive any response from them. We just wanted to know what the status was, that's all. It's very rude that we received total silence, as if we don't exist. So, I promised in the email that you will get to know of this if they don't reply within 3 days. I even mentioned the newspaper to get their attention, but still no reply. It's been actually more than 3 days, finally I am making true with the threat of making my mom's plight public and known to you. Why include a clause that allows customers to claim for money lost if there is no intention to uphold the clause? Silence is not good customer service. Maybe my mom is not the only one facing problems with Goinsure/ Multipurpose Insurance. Air Asia is great but its insurance service does not reflect well on Air Asia. AirAsia must choose a better insurance provider that keeps its promises the way AirAsia does. Hopefully, after this, I will hear from Multipurpose insurance and get the claim as entitled. I really wouldn't be writing this if the insurance provider didn't keep silent. The claim was made in June and it's now September. Silence isn't golden, it's very frustrating. Thank you, Tony, for providing the outlet for us to raise issues and hopefully constructive criticism that makes AirAsia always striving to be better than it already is because definitely we will continue to use AirAsia but whether we continue to use Goinsure depends on how Goinsure treats its paying customers.

dear Mr Tony i am a big fan of you, Airasia and envy the success you have achieved as an entrepreneur.however i would like to make a strong suggestion to Airasia X to start a flying route from kl to Moscow where there are more then a thousand Malaysian students studying here in Russia myself included.As a quote from an article regarding the flight s from kl-London stated by you"I like to think that Malaysians, studying or working in the UK shouldn't ever have to feel the distance between themselves and their families" thereby the same principle would be brought upon for malaysians over here.This would be a win-win situation for both airasia and ourselves since MAS does not conduct a direct flight to moscow .I would hope my suggestion is seriously considered and hope for a positive feedback.Thank You for your time Tony

Dear Mr. Tony, I am very glad to be able to put my view on your blog! Congratulation on your new Tune hotel at Westminster, London!!! It must be amazing to get to stay at a five star hotel at one star price at London!!! London has been my dream place to travel about. Can I make a request to Mr. Tony, that I plan to take my wedding photo shooting at London, with Tune hotel and scenery of London city as background, if possible we would also use airasia plane as photo shooting background as well, hopefully with this wedding photo shooting, can also promote overseas wedding photo shooting using Tune Hotel services. Thank you once again Mr. Tony for your precious time and really hope you can consider this proposal.