Tony Fernandes CEO Blog - Latest comments on Is Singapore better than us - if so why?

In response to: Is Singapore better than us - if so why?

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:44:46 +0000

I agree that the Singapore Airline guys are better as they hire the right people qualified for the job. alhtough its commendable that you offer ramp gouys to become piliots and hotel reception guys to end up as station managers, SQ on the contrary hires people who have started with the right background for the job. You will never find a station manager from SQ who was working in the reception of a hotel. Professionalsm in the key to SQ's success. I believe you could do magic if you had the right professionalyexperienced people in key positions of AirAsia. I wish you luck with all your future plans.

In response to: Is Singapore better than us - if so why?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:02:45 +0000

Well, from what I know, when Malaysia-Singapore Airlines split in 1972, Lee Kuan Yew said that Singapore Airlines better be profitable or he will close it down. Of course, the management knew that they had to attract customers to be profitable, so they decided on provided good customer service, and good service is what keeps people coming back. With regards to the incentives given to other airlines, the government here wants to make sure that Changi remains an aviation hub in the region. They've even gone so far as to say that if they need to sacrifice Singapore Airlines in order to maintain Changi's hub status, they will do it. So it's really no surprise that they are encouraging AirAsia to build its presence in Singapore, and I fully support that. AirAsia's recent flights to Miri and Tawau have gone a step further in enhancing Changi's connectivity, and I hope AirAsia can expand its set of destinations from Changi to include the likes of Sandakan, Sibu and Bintulu. I think essentially, AirAsia and Singapore Airlines serve different market niches, and having both around is good as it will give people a choice. If you wanted top notch service and don't mind paying a premium for it, then Singapore Airlines is the obvious choice. And if you just want good value for money, and don't mind sacrificing some comfort in exchange for that, then AirAsia will be ideal. Of course, safety is also paramount and I have to say both airlines do well in that regard. And in this respect, AirAsia can serve as a good model for other budget airlines, as AirAsia has shown that it can offer low fares without having to cut corners when it comes to safety.

In response to: Is Singapore better than us - if so why?

Thu, 21 May 2009 16:42:13 +0000

Dear Dato', Well, personaly I never been flying with other airlines except for Air Asia locally or internationally as it's the most affordable for me (all local flights and only one flight to Chiang Mai ;) ). But I adored your leadership since you started the Air Asia wave in Airlines industry. I still remember the first time I took flight to Alor Star back when Air Asia started the operation at LCCT, I remembered it was raining, and you came and hold an umbrella for my daughter while I pushed my daughter's stroller to the flight and at the same time my sister in-law was complaining to you as we were walking a distance to reach the flight from the terminal. It was amazed that you can just listen patiently to her (been as ex-PR for the most prominent hotel in the city, she's a demanding person)and accepted that my sister in-law did not realized that it was you the most prominent CEO in the country. Looking at that experience, I am comparing with other leadership in the country. I do agree that leadership skill is important to shape the company's culture. For example, in my working environment, we have a totally different culture as compared to other division in the same group of the company as our ex-VP (Hussin Ali) can mix with all level of staff and open to ideas eventhough it came from a cleaner. ( we can even talk about family with him). We work in a sisterhood and brotherhood environment that made other division envy with our working environment. This culture actually has driven the satff to work for better of themselves and ultimately for the comany's success. We started with SEMASA SENTRAL and we have expand to more sister companies that do building servicing & maintenance, parking and security. For me it is not a small achievement in 8 years old age in the business. We also believe in grooming staff to be a better staff in climbing a career ladder. E.g: some of our CRO now are palying an important role in some of departments in the division. Therefore, I totally agreed with the operational and experience leadership whereby the CEO is experiencing the operational flow in the company to get a better understanding of the total operation. I believe the working culture actually can made the success of every airlines. When the staff appreciate what they got from the contribution they made, they will automatically serve the customer better. It just a little comment from me about the cabin crew of air asia, at every flight I had experienced especially locally, some of the cabin crew is hardly smiles to the passengers and it always heard that the announcement were badly pronounced til hardly understand what they said both in bahasa and english. Maybe because we pay cheap ticket and that's we what we got. Well it's fair for the ticket paid... ; ). Anyway, the nasi lemak was good, but a little bit too expensive. Well again it's fair with the taste it has ...he..he.. Note: Dato' I would like to suggest that the current outlet at station sentral to get a bigger size by acquiring the neigbouring outlet or a more convenient location at Level 2 as it is much less crowded and much more convenient to your customer but still prominent looking at the future development which will be happening soon there.

In response to: Is Singapore better than us - if so why?

Sat, 09 May 2009 01:56:42 +0000

Even SIA acknowledges your effort of taking AirAsia to the greater heights. A feat to be proud of. One thing is that I noted that some AirAsia flight crew do not have good understanding of Mandarin for the KUL-SZX route. Some of them need to rely on their Chinese counterparts for translation. It's better to get the crew member undergo some basic Mandarin speaking skills. It certainly would be better...better and better!

In response to: Is Singapore better than us - if so why?

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:28:18 +0000

Dear Datuk, wondeful job you are doing mixing bussines with sports. I read about Manchester FC almost everyday, I am so bored with them as everyone picks a ready made winner to support. What I would like to see is Air Asia sponsoring an unknown team and turning them to be a giant, similarly to what you have done in the process of building Air Asia. In the 70's I always supported the Malaysian Team as they could beat the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton to name a few, back then!. What has happen to our "Tigers of Asia", which we were so proud of????, before!. Datuk, you could start off by sponsoring our "Malaysian Under 12" team and nature them to be giants in the next maybe 7 to 9 years time!.

In response to: Is Singapore better than us - if so why?

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:04:52 +0000

Hi Tony.
First, I can't imagine that a CEO would set up this blog to share your expereiences.

Anyway, SIA did a great job on the A380. Also they got the whole country to back them up, so, in my point of view, I don't think it is suitable to compare with this giant company.

But SIA can provide a whole lot more then AirAsia for sure, the only thing i should say that is, both airlines are on different way to be promoted. SIA is more likely as a grand airline with good services through out your trip, from the momment you arrive to the airport til you arrive to your destination, there are so many things that a LOC wouldn't be able or hardly supply for the passengers. But I do agree with the LOC's thought, which makes flying more popular, instead of a luxuries experience, it can be also be a normal "Bus Trip" on the Airbus plane.
I have been on the SIA's A380, it really commit to their slogan, it is a great way to fly. Bigger seats, better services, better AVOD technology and other softwares make my A380 became my best experience in my life. These are the things SIA beat rest of the airlines.

I do hope both SIA can innovate more inflight experience that we have never tried, so as AirAsia.

Although i still haven't got a chance to get onboard with AirAsia due the place i am living right now are not AirAsia's Destinations. But AirAsia's revolution has attracted my attentions in the past few years and the years to come. Good Luck, Mr. Fernandes and AirAsia. I really looking forward to experience a great flight with AirAsia like what i experienced on SIA's A380.

In response to: Is Singapore better than us - if so why?

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 06:06:16 +0000

Hi Tony, I've seen so many racist remarks from various blogs. Still quoting INDIAN, MALAY, CHINESE. I've agreed with you that we are Malaysian. Even so I am a Malay but I dont give a damn to the racial type of statements. Frankly speaking, I am admiring you just because you're awesome. You have turned a RM1 company (taken over from DRB) into a multi millions company. Go ahead, dont bother whatever people says about you and Air Asia. We are a businessman, we must fight each and every corner for our survival. I wish one day you shall live with your dream to takeover SIA. Go and make it as our Malaysian Brand. And I wish you could be able to acquire MAS as well. We need a strategic thinking people like you. Make Malaysia as a flying hub. In the future what I want to hear is Why Malaysia better than Singapore.. I flew many times with AA. So far so good. It's only one incident made me sick. 2006. Tawau 10hrs stranded at the airport. AA flight got Technical Problem. Overal OK. Keep up good work man.. May GOD bless you!!!

In response to: Is Singapore better than us - if so why?

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:38:36 +0000

Hi Mr Fernandes, I am a retired civil servant from Singapore. I had been in the service sector for nearly 32 years till my retirment in 2000. From the beginning, we were repeatedly told that our people are an important asset and that they should be given the best possible service and help at all times, irregardless of their race, language or religion. As part of an on-going process, we were sent to numerous service standard courses conducted by our Public Service Department. Through this courses we came to better understand the plight and feelings of our people. Throughout my career, I had to survive in a very competitive environment where you have to do better than your fellow peers, etc. This cause us to always strive to do the best and score in our examinations. We were also given the opportunity to do and act in the best possible manner in situations where decisions had to be made on the spot. This led us to become operationally-attuned and hence able to make sound decisions on the spot. However, mistakes were made during such difficult decision-making processes. At the end of the day, there was always this HOPE that we would not become victims of any form of witch-hunt, in the general belief that "an act done in good faith would go a long way in further improving our service standards to the people we served. I have flown SQ and Airasia on a number of occassions. I found your cabin and cockpit crew an excellent lot just like our SQ staff. There were smiles on their faces all the way and they were able to attend and handle "difficult guests" effectively. I felt very important on your flight. Infact I am now in the process of flying with Airasia to the Land of Smiles. Thanks you for making available 100,000 free seats to guests heading to a Nation which needs help to bounce back again. This little act by Airasia would go a long way to strengthen the foundations of Airasia and one day make it a formidable player in the aviation industry. Sedikit sedikit menjadi bukit. Thanks and HAPPY FLYING.