The Wrap drops into Kuala Lumpur to hear CEO Tony Fernandes say that AirAsia is going to grab a lot more of want it wants: low fares across the globe.
Photo by Corinne Wan
As a venue this week for a low cost airline’s media conference, Kuala Lumpur’s swanky Mandarin Oriental hotel seemed an especially grand location.
But then AirAsia probably wasn’t picking up the tab for gathering a cast of hundreds – including The Wrap - to hear the not unexpected announcement of a US$2.3 billion deal to buy 10 Airbus A330-300s for long-haul operations.
There was almost nothing low budget about the occasion with fast check-in for invited guests and media, pre-boarding service with tea, coffee and snacks in the Sapphire lounge – and no rush for the best seats.
There was a two-class cabin, with an assortment of government ministers, ambassadors, consular officials and airline executives seated at the pointy end and a large media contingent down the back.
In-flight entertainment, provided by a troupe of scarlet clad AirAsia female cabin crew, was free, although the girls did little but stand around in a semi-circle looking very pretty.
No one seemed to mind that the take-off was delayed for 20 minutes while the VIPs were rounded up and escorted on board.
Even the captain, AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes, put on a tie for the occasion but retained his signature AirAsia red cap.
Photo courtesy of AirAsia
The captain had some reassuring words for the passengers, some of whom may have been questioning the speed of AirAsia’s growth and its latest moves to go long-haul in partnership with FAX, a private company under the control of Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun and Raja Mohd Azmi.
“Life is like a supermarket,” said Captain Fernandes. “You never get anything if you wait for someone to get it for you. We’ve been sincere, we’ve been passionate and we’ve gone out and got what we wanted.”
The subsequent media conference had the appearance of a supermarket check-out, or a budget airline check-in, as dozens of reporters, photographers and TV cameramen jostled for position in front of the FAX executives, alongside whom Airbus COO, Customers, John Leahy, tried to look like he had done the deal of the decade.
At the end of the proceedings, The Wrap was left with the impression that the aviation environment has truly changed with AirAsia’s long-haul plans.
By opting for new, cost-efficient aircraft to fly passengers across the world, AirAsia has set a new standard for budget travel.
The Wrap, for one, will not begrudge having to spend a dollar or two for a pot of noodles, or a few dollars more to watch a latest movie release, if it means flying low cost on one of the world’s most modern aircraft.
