Tony Fernandes CEO Blog

Last night was definitely a night to remember. AirAsia and AirAsia X's joint win as Airline of the Year at the CAPA awards marks another major milestone in our journey. After just eight years, to come out ahead of established airlines like Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific not just means so much to us but also demonstrates that Malaysian companies can compete with and triumph over so-called "heavyweights" on the global stage.

The award is recognition of the hard work, passion, creativity and innovation that our 7,000 AirAsians bring to their jobs every day. Without them, we will not be where we are as an airline, let alone be winning the highest awards granted by the industry. To them, and to the millions of guests who fly us daily, I say a very big Thank You.

Our journey began with just two planes, one destination, and 250 staff. The first year, we carried 250,000 guests. Now,our fleet consists of 85 largely brand new Airbus aircraft (A320s for AirAsia, A330s for AirAsia X). We expect to ferry 24 million guests this year (and more than 75 million in the eight years we have been in operation); and we fly to more than 60 destinations.

We are humbled by this award and here's our pledge: That this recognition will spur us to improve our services, lower our fares even more and provide our guests with the high-quality they expect from us. We are determined to continue to demonstrate that "low cost" does not equate to "low quality."

One other thing: I would like to think that AirAsia as a whole has made an impact not just in the aviation industry but in other fields as well. Our people and our positive energy what I call our "Two P's" is what has brought us to where we are today. We hope that this will rub off on Malaysians as well. As a society, we tend to be very negative and critical. Imagine how much more we can achieve as a nation if, instead of constantly complaining, we channel our talent and potential into realising our goals and making our dreams come true.

As we say in AirAsia;
Dream the impossible,
Believe the unbelievable,
And never take no for an answer.

Last night, this old man was very very happy. Thank you for sharing our joy and for supporting us.

Had the opportunity to be part of the live chat series run by The Star yesterday. It was great to be able to share the aspirations of the 1 Malaysia Formula 1 team with the nation. Just the ability of being able to engage the nation in a live forum and to hopefully inspire us to reach greater heights together was sensational. Have attached the clips for those who missed the conversation.

Check here for details on the livechat.

Am thinking of having this weekly live chat sessions right here on the blog. Will work on something and get it live next week. Watch this space.

Since back in 2001 when we took over the management of the airline, AirAsia has always set the bar high. "Dream the impossible, Believe the Unbelievable, Never Take No for an Answer" is that belief, our credo that inspires us and its a credo we live up to in every endeavour we are involved in.

Today we are proud of two young Malaysians who demonstrated the credo in action and in doing so, did Malaysia proud and cosigned the skeptics and naysayers to the margins.

Right here in Sepang, Elly Idzlianizar Ilias and Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin of the AirAsia Team Malaysia made their maiden foray into the world of the 125cc MotoGP category. They entered as wild cards, but came in 16th (Elly) and 20th (Fahmi) in a field of 32 participants. An incredible feat that showed the world and pessimistic Malaysians just what Malaysia can do when we put pour hearts and minds to it.

AirAsia is extremely proud to be associated with these young Malaysians and to have sponsored the team. And they have more than justified our faith. Malaysia has so much untapped potential that we can tap into and unleash if only we believe in ourselves. We have the talent, the technical competency and the mindset to compete, all we need is the opportunity. Just give Malaysians a chance, a real chance, and we can take on the best in the world.

In regards to sports, my business partners and I have taken up the challenge with our involvement in setting up the 1Malaysia F1 team that will be on the starting blocks of the grid next year. Today, in the MotoGP, Elly and Fahmi planted the Malaysian flag in their field despite entering as wild cards and competing against the established stars. They were in contention for much of the race and only narrowly missed out on World Championship points. The message is clear and loud; we are here and ready to compete. And it's not too far fetched for us to consider fielding a team in the MotoGP circuit next season.

I say let's start showing the world that on any given platform and on any given day, we are equal to the world's best. I confess I am an incorrigible optimist and this may seem as just typical Tony. But our boys showed today what Malaysia can do and I say it is time to rise to the challenge and stand tall.

We'll be there with team Lotus on the Grand Prix circuit next year. Hope to see you there, cheering a Malaysian team, wearing the Malaysian team colours as yet another "impossible" dream becomes a reality.

Here's a letter which makes it all worthwhile. These were the ideals that started AirAsia and fired us with passion.

Dear Mr. Fernandes,

I would like to thank you and your airline for the wonderful service in evacuating us from Padang on Thursday October 1st, 2009. Myself and 30 others had been abandoned by Tiger Airways in an airport with toilets with no water (toilets choked and putrid), no air conditioning in the heat and humidity and the main ceiling of the airport which had collapsed.While the cowards at Tiger Airways left us behind, your airline, got us to safety, which we and our loved ones are all very thankful and happy about.What made this even more challenging, was that all ATM's, credit card facilities and money changing services were closed or not functioning.

We pooled our Rupiah to buy tickets on Air Asia, of which a couple of tourists got left behind to wait two nights at the Padang airport until Tiger airways finally returns (we hope for their sake). As i was on a business trip to Padang, I had additional rupiah to purchase two German tourists tickets on Air Asia to KL.Upon arriving in KL, we purchased Air Asia tickets with our credit cards to get back home to Singapore (the German tourist got their connecting flights in Singapore and were very relieved)I have written to the press in Australia and Singapore applauding your wonderful service, and i hope some good PR comes of this, as your Airline well deserves it.

Once again, thank you and thank you Air Asia.

We just do what we have to do to help people. We have many who constantly barrage us with attacks and put us down. But when you get a letter like this, it makes it all worth it. This operation to ferry loved ones in and those requiring help out is an ASEAN project. This is what ASEAN is all about, an airline run by ASEAN staff reaching out to an ASEAN community that is in need of help. The ideals that communities can unite beyond language and cultural differences and be globally responsible citizens are what drives ASEAN. This is evidence of how ASEAN can be so powerful in making a difference in all communities that we need to reach out to if we all work together.

Have been getting a lot of reactions on the net and by people on the street on the nation's involvement in the motorsports world of Formula One. Next week, I am looking forward to share my thoughts on why Formula One is important to Malaysia.

Well done to all my 8000 ASEAN staff. You have made an old man very proud. Keep being an All Star in your roles and in the lives of people you touch.