AirAsia

Capital A Berhad, () operating as AirAsia (stylized as ''airasia'') is a Malaysian multinational low-cost airline headquartered near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is the largest airline in Malaysia by fleet size and destinations. AirAsia operates scheduled domestic and international flights to more than 165 destinations spanning 25 countries. Its main base is klia2, the low-cost carrier terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. Its affiliate airlines Thai AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia, Philippines AirAsia have bases in Bangkok–Don Mueang, Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta, Manila–Ninoy Aquino airports respectively, while its sister airline, AirAsia X, focuses on long-haul routes. AirAsia's registered office and head office is at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

In 2007, ''The New York Times'' described the airline as a "pioneer" of low-cost travel in Asia. AirAsia is the sponsor of Malaysia national football team, Singapore national football team, Jamshedpur FC and Queens Park Rangers. AirAsia is also a former sponsor of Manchester United and Asia Red Tour.

AirAsia has consistently been named as the world's best low-cost carrier for 13 years by Skytrax in a row in international travel and airline awards, including the latest award for 2022.

History

AirAsia was established in 1993 and began operations on 18 November 1996. It was founded by a government-owned conglomerate, DRB-HICOM. On 8 September 2001, the heavily indebted airline was bought by former Time Warner (now known as WarnerMedia) executive Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun's company Tune Air Sdn Bhd for the token sum of one ringgit (about US$0.26 at the time) with US$11 million (MYR 40 million) worth of debts. The partners turned the company around, producing a profit in 2002 and launching new routes from its hub in Kuala Lumpur, undercutting former monopoly operator Malaysia Airlines with promotional fares as low as MYR 1 ( US$0.27). In 2003, AirAsia opened a second hub at Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru and launched its first international flight to Bangkok.

AirAsia subsequently started its Thai AirAsia affiliate and began flights to Singapore and Indonesia. Flights to Macau started in June 2004, and flights to mainland China ( Xiamen) and the Philippines (Manila) in April 2005. Flights to Vietnam and Cambodia followed in 2005 and to Brunei and Myanmar in 2006, the latter by Thai AirAsia. In August 2006, AirAsia took over Malaysia Airlines's Rural Air Service routes in Sabah and Sarawak, operating under the FlyAsianXpress brand. The routes were returned to MASwings a year later, citing commercial reasons.

At the end of 2006, Fernandes unveiled a five-year plan to further enhance AirAsia's presence in Asia. Under the plan, AirAsia proposed enhancing its route network by connecting all of its existing destinations throughout the region and expanding further into Vietnam, Indonesia, Southern China ( Kunming, Xiamen, Shenzhen) and India. Through its sister companies, Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia, the plan called for a focus on developing its hub in Bangkok and Jakarta. With increased frequency and the addition of new routes, AirAsia increased passenger volume to 13.9 million in its 2007 fiscal year.

During 2007, passengers from "The Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport Group" protested against the airline over its refusal to fly passengers who were completely immobile. They claimed that people with disabilities were discriminated against when booking tickets online; the CEO of the airline said it did not turn away passengers in wheelchairs.

On 27 September 2008, the company announced 106 new routes to be added to its list of 60. The number of old routes discontinued has not been disclosed.

In August 2011, AirAsia agreed to form an alliance with Malaysia Airlines by means of a share swap. The alliance was struck down by the Malaysian government, in effect voiding the agreement of both airlines.

By early 2013, AirAsia's profits increased by 168% on a year-over-year basis compared to the same period in 2012. For the quarter ending 31 December 2012, the airline's net profit stood at 350.65 million ringgit (US$114.08 million). Despite a 1% rise in the average fuel price, the airline recorded profits of 1.88 billion ringgit for its full 2012 fiscal year.

In February 2013, AirAsia submitted an application to the Indian Foreign Investment Promotion Board, through its investment arm, AirAsia Investment Limited, to seek approval for commencing its operations in India. AirAsia asked to take a 49% stake in the Indian sister airline, which was the maximum allowed by the Indian government at that time. AirAsia committed to investing up to US$50 million in the new airline. Operations would begin in Chennai, expanding its network throughout South India, where AirAsia already operates flights from Malaysia and Thailand. In 2019, AirAsia opened its first restaurant that serves plane food in Kuala Lumpur. In November 2020 AirAsia did not complete the purchase of six already specifically built Airbus A320neo aircraft. This was as a result of the coronavirus crisis. In September 2021, Airbus agreed to cut prices to salvage a ten billion dollars contract with the flight carrier, restarting the relationship between both partners.

In October 2021, AirAsia restarted international flights after the Malaysian government lifted travel restrictions.

On 3 January 2022, AirAsia proposed its corporate name change to Capital A, which subject to shareholders' approval. The proposed name has been approved by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and reserved by the company on 28 December 2021. On 28 January 2022, the company changed its corporate name from AirAsia Group Bhd to Capital A Bhd to reflect its expansion of business portfolio beyond the core budget airline. However, its airline business continued to use the AirAsia brand.

Corporate affairs

The head office is the Red Quarters (RedQ) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Selangor. This facility also serves as the company's registered office.

The airline has moved its head office to a new , RM140mil facility constructed at klia2 on 7 November 2016.RedQuarters set to become AirAsia’s global HQ by 2016

Archive
. ''The Star''. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2015. Until the new head office opened, the airline's head office was located in the KLIA LCCT. The new klia2 head office has been scheduled to open at the end of 2015. The former registered office was on level 13 of the Menara Prima Tower B in Petaling Jaya.

RedQ is scheduled to hold about 2,000 AirAsia and AirAsia X employees. Aireen Omar, the AirAsia Country CEO of Malaysia, stated that the headquarters needed to be redesigned because in the klia2 plans the location of the control tower had been changed.AirAsia’s new HQ to be completed by end-2015
." ABNXcess. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014. Construction on the facility was scheduled to begin in July 2014. Malaysia Airports Holdings is leasing the land that will be occupied by the headquarters. An AirAsia X flight attendant gave the building the name "RedQuarters" or "RedQ", and its groundbreaking ceremony was held in November 2014.

Affiliate airlines

AirAsia Cambodia

In May 2017, AirAsia planned to open a subsidiary company in Cambodia to handle an increase of tourists from Malaysia visiting to the Cambodian cities of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. On 9 December 2022, AirAsia and Sivilai Asia signed a joint venture agreement to establish AirAsia Cambodia, with AirAsia owning majority of the airline. The airline is planned to commence operations in late 2023.

AirAsia India

In October 2012, AirAsia's management said that they were keen to have more presence in India if the ''aviation environment'' and tax structure were ''conducive and friendly'' for low-cost airline operations. With the new Indian Government allowing a foreign direct investment of up to 49% in aviation sector, the airline CEO Tony Fernandes tweeted "Fantastic news that India has opened up investments to foreign airlines." He said that it was now easier for him to set up an airline in India. Tony Fernandes called the joint venture with Tata Sons. He said that the Tatas know India very well and have a good reputation. Fernandes said that he would concentrate mainly on the one million south Indians who travel by rail. AirAsia announced its Indian low-cost affiliate airline on 19 February 2013. The airline would be operated as a joint venture, with AirAsia holding 49% of the airline. Arun Bhatia took up 21% and Tata Sons the remaining 30% stake in the airline. The joint venture would also mark Tata Sons' return to aviation industry after 60 years. AirAsia is the first foreign airline to set up an affiliate airline in India. The airline is headquartered in Chennai and planned to make Chennai International Airport as its hub. Later, the primary hub of the airlines was shifted to Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore. The maiden flight of AirAsia's India venture on Bangalore- Goa route took off on 12 June 2014. The airline announced that Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi will be its hub for North Indian operations.

In November 2020, AirAsia reviewing its India operations run in partnership with Tata Sons signalling a possible exit from the country. On 29 December 2020, the Tata Group announced it would increase its holdings in the Indian-based joint venture with AirAsia from 51% to 84%. On 2 November 2022, AirAsia sold the remaining 16% stake to Tata Sons.

In September 2022, it was reported by Tata Group that the airline would be fully intergated into Air India Express by 2024. Following the merger, AirAsia India would cease to exist, and the former shall be operated under the Air India Express brand.

AirAsia Japan

AirAsia and Japanese network airline All Nippon Airways announced their joint venture at a press conference in Tokyo on 21 July 2011. Following its establishment in August 2011, AirAsia Japan flew its first flight in August 2012. AirAsia Japan was the first low-cost airline to be based at Narita International Airport. Its formation was announced only months after ANA had announced the formation of Peach, a low-cost airline based at Kansai International Airport in Osaka, and alongside a concurrent effort by Japan Airlines to set up a low-cost affiliate. ANA elected to partner with an existing low-cost airline for efficiency and strategic advantage. It was the fifth affiliate airline for AirAsia and the ninth for ANA. The airline was headquartered alongside ANA in Tokyo, with its main operating base at Narita, and served domestic destinations, using the brand and service model of AirAsia.

AirAsia Japan terminated its operations on 27 October 2013 after announcing the dissolution of its joint venture in June 2013.

In a press release on 1 July 2014 AirAsia announced a relaunch of the AirAsia Japan brand. The first flight is scheduled to depart in the summer of 2015, but instead, it was delayed. AirAsia Japan finally relaunched on 29 October 2017, with its two daily flights from Nagoya to Sapporo.

On 5 October 2020, the airline ceased operations due to low passenger demand caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

In November 2020, AirAsia Japan filed for bankruptcy proceedings in the Tokyo District Court on Tuesday with about 21.7 billion yen ($208 million) in liabilities, becoming the first airline to fail in the country during the COVID-19 era. This has led to 23,000 flyers without refund and a total liability of 21.7 billion yen.

AirAsia X

AirAsia X is the long-haul operation of AirAsia. The franchise is able to keep costs down by using a universal ticketing system. The airline will be operating "incredibly" cheap prices to and from Asia to the east coast of Australia AirAsia X is also affiliated with Virgin Group and Air Canada. On 17 May 2007, Tony Fernandes announced plans to commence flights from Malaysia to Australia. Fernandes said he would be avoiding Sydney Airport due to its high fees. Instead, the airline would concentrate on cheaper alternatives such as Melbourne's Avalon Airport, Williamtown Airport in Newcastle, and Adelaide Airport. Sustained fares were predicted to be around MYR 800 ( A$285) for a return fare, plus taxes. Interest was also expressed in using Gold Coast Airport as another Australian destination. On 14 May 2007, AirAsia confirmed that it had ordered 15 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, five more than initially announced. The aircraft were scheduled for delivery from the fourth quarter of 2008. On 27 March 2008, AirAsia signed a firm contract for another 10 Airbus A330-300s bringing the airline's total order to 25. AirAsia X received its first A330 on 31 October 2008 in Toulouse, France. As of 14 February 2008, 48% of AirAsia X is owned by Aero Ventures; a venture of Tony Fernandes, other prominent Malaysians, and Air Canada's Robert Milton. Virgin Group owns 16%, and a further 16% is owned by AirAsia. Bahrain-based Manara Consortium, and Japan-based Orix Corp have taken a 20% stake in AirAsia X for RM250 million.

In April 2018, AirAsia X cancelled their 10 A350-900 order that they ordered in 2009 due to higher prices on the aircraft, The airline had previously also expressed an interest in ordering Boeing 787-10 aircraft, with a decision expected in 2018. In March 2018, the decision was made not to proceed with ordering the Boeing aircraft.

As of June 2019, the fleet consisted of 24 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, and the airline had 78 Airbus A330-900 aircraft on order. However, under a debt restructuring plan in November 2021, the order of A330 aircraft was reduced substantially, from 78 to 15 aircraft.

Indonesia AirAsia & Indonesia AirAsia X

Indonesia AirAsia operates scheduled domestic, international services and is an Indonesian associate carrier of Malaysian low-fare airline AirAsia. Its main base is Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta. Until July 2010, Indonesia Air Asia, along with many Indonesian airlines, was banned from flying to the EU due to safety concerns. However, the ban was lifted in July 2010. The airline was established as Awair in 1999 by Abdurrahman Wahid, former chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Muslim organisation. He had a 40% stake in the airline which he relinquished after being elected president of Indonesia in October 1999. On 1 December 2005, Awair changed its name to Indonesia AirAsia in line with the other AirAsia branded airlines in the region. AirAsia Berhad has a 49% share in the airline with Fersindo Nusaperkasa owning 51%. Indonesia's laws disallow a foreign-majority ownership on domestic civil aviation operations.

Indonesia AirAsia X is a joint venture of AirAsia X. It serves Indonesia AirAsia's regularly scheduled long haul international flights from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport. Indonesia AirAsia X launched its first flight to Taipei on 29 January 2015.

Indonesian low-cost carrier Indonesia AirAsia looks set to cease operations as a standalone carrier and be merged with sister AirAsia subsidiary, Indonesia AirAsia X.

In October 2020, AirAsia X confirmed they have retrenchment of 10 per cent of their 24,000 employees.

Philippines AirAsia

Philippines AirAsia is a joint venture between Filipino investors and AirAsia. The Filipino group include Antonio Cojuangco, Jr., Yancy Mckhel Mejia, former owner of Associated Broadcasting Company with flagship television station TV5, Michael Romero, a real estate developer and port operator, and Marianne Hontiveros. The airline is 60% owned by the Filipino investors and the remaining 40% is owned by AirAsia.

Philippines AirAsia was formally launched on 16 December 2010. The airline planned to start operations by 2011, but was delayed. Philippines AirAsia commenced operations on 28 March 2012.

In 2013, it partnered with Zest Airways, a Philippine low-cost airline. It operates scheduled domestic and international tourist services, mainly feeder services linking Manila and Cebu with 24 domestic destinations in support of the trunk route operations of other airlines. Less than a year after AirAsia and Zest Air's strategic alliance, Zest Airways was rebranded as AirAsia Zest on 21 September 2013. It merged with Philippines AirAsia in 2015.

Thai AirAsia & Thai AirAsia X

Thai AirAsia is a joint venture between AirAsia and Thailand's Asia Aviation. Thai AirAsia launched domestic operations in February 2004. It serves AirAsia's regularly scheduled domestic and international flights from Bangkok and other cities in Thailand. Thai AirAsia was the only low-cost airline operating both domestic and international flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport. The airline shifted all operations from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Mueang International Airport effective 1 October 2012.
Thai AirAsia is 55% owned by Asia Aviation, 45% owned by AirAsia International, 39% owned by King Power The airline sponsors the Thai football teams Buriram United, SCG Muangthong United, Chonburi, Osotspa Saraburi, BEC Tero Sasana, Chiangrai UTD, Esan United, Chainat, Samut Prakan CUTD, Bangkok United, FC Phuket, Krabi, Air Force United, Nakhon Phanom, Loei City, Trang and the referee of Football Association of Thailand.

Thai AirAsia X is Thailand's first long-haul low-cost airline. It was scheduled to begin operations in June 2014. After putting off the launch that had been planned for the first quarter, Thai AirAsia X was to launch its maiden service from Bangkok to Incheon, South Korea on 17 June and then begin regular flights to Japan's Narita Airport in Tokyo and Osaka around July.

In May 2022, AirAsia announced the introduction of its ride-hailing service in Thailand, AirAsia Ride. Thailand is the second country AirAsia is expanding the e-hailing services in, directly competing with the dominant player, Grab.

Destinations

Fleet

Current fleet

, the AirAsia fleet (Malaysia edition) consists of the following aircraft:AirAsia up-gauges with a 100 A321neo order; outlook improves and China in its sights
CAPA, 14 July 2016

Fleet renewal

Previously operating the Boeing 737-300, AirAsia has now completely converted to the Airbus A320 family.

In June 2011 AirAsia ordered 200 Airbus A320neos at the Paris Air Show. The planes were originally due to become available in 2015, and the deal was one of the largest ever for commercial aircraft in a single order. The deal was worth US$18 billion at list prices, although AirAsia will have obtained a substantial discount from those prices. The deal makes AirAsia Airbus' single biggest customer. On 13 December 2012, AirAsia placed an order for an additional 100 Airbus A320 jets, splitting it between 64 A320neo and 36 A320ceo.
At the Farnborough International Air Show in 2016, Air Asia ordered 100 A321neos at an estimated cost of US$12.6 Billion dollars at list prices. Air Asia plans to fly these larger aircraft to airports that have infrastructure constraints. AirAsia received its first A320neo in September 2016. At the 2019 Farnborough Air Show, AirAsia further increased its orders for A320 aircraft, in the process also becoming Airbus' largest customer for the A321neo variant.

With this, the total number of orders that AirAsia had placed for the Airbus A320 family climbed to 592, reaffirming the carrier's position also as the largest airline customer for the Airbus single aisle product line.AirAsia places major order for 100 A321neo
Airbus, 12 July 2016 However, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation, the orders for the new A320 family of aircraft were reworked by mutual agreement between AirAsia and Airbus in October 2021, with deliveries now scheduled to extend to 2035, among other undisclosed changes in purchase terms.

Former fleet

AirAsia formerly operated the following aircraft:

Services

On board

AirAsia offers "Santan" menu, with options to buy on board offering food, drinks, merchandise and duty free for purchase. Pre-purchase of "Santan" meals is available at a lower price than on board, and with additional options AirAsia is accredited by the KL Syariah Index of Bursa Malaysia, and in accordance with Shariah principles, it does not serve alcohol or pork. However, this applies only to the regional AirAsia group flights, and not to the AirAsia X flights, which do sell wine and beer on board.

Frequent-flyer program

AirAsia is taking the first steps towards starting its own frequent-flyer programme. The airline has signed an agreement to start a joint venture with financial services firm Tune Money to launch a programme called "BIG". Under this programme, it will issue loyalty points to AirAsia customers and third-party merchants. Points can then be used to redeem AirAsia flights.

Awards and recognition

The 2022 World Airline Awards from Skytrax ranked the airline as the world's best low-cost airline, a record held for 13 years in a row.

Criticism and controversy

Barisan Nasional-themed flight

Before the 2018 Malaysian general election, AirAsia received criticism for seemingly backing Najib Razak and his Barisan Nasional coalition, a move seen as politically incorrect by some political commentators. Najib was seen returning from Sabah to Kuala Lumpur after a campaign trip on an AirAsia flight together with AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes. The aeroplane that Najib flew was draped in the blue of BN with the air stewardesses dressed in that same blue, instead of the typical AirAsia red. The words “Hebatkan Negaraku” (English: “Make my country greater”) can also be seen across the fuselage of the aeroplane. After Najib was defeated in the general election, Tony Fernandes issued an apology, claiming that he had buckled under the intense pressure from Najib's government.

Incidents and accidents

* 10 January 2011: AirAsia Flight 5218, an Airbus A320-216 (9M-AHH), skidded to the right and went off the side of the runway at Kuching Airport, Malaysia. It came to rest in the grass with the nose gear dug in and collapsed. All 123 passengers and six crew members survived. The plane received heavy damage but was eventually repaired.

See also

* List of airlines of Malaysia
* List of airports in Malaysia
* Transport in Malaysia

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Airasia

Airlines of Malaysia
Malaysian brands
Airlines established in 1993
Malaysian companies established in 1993
1993 establishments in Malaysia
Low-cost carriers
Companies based in Sepang
Companies listed on Bursa Malaysia
Tune Group