Retail News CRM

Tag: airasia

  • New Zealander says ‘disgusting’ AirAsia uniforms are ruining Malaysia’s reputation

    New Zealander says ‘disgusting’ AirAsia uniforms are ruining Malaysia’s reputation

    A New Zealand woman has called upon a Malaysian senator to address the “extremely short skirts” worn by AirAsia flight attendants, saying the uniforms are ruining Malaysia’s reputation as a “respectful” country.

    In a letter posted to social media on Tuesday, June Robertson of Tawa, Wellington, said she had felt “very offended” by the female flight attendants’ skirts on her twice yearly trips to Malaysia over the past decade.

    In her letter, she relayed a “terrible” occasion when she saw an AirAsia stewardess’ underwear after she bent over at an airport supermarket.

    She also said that, on a flight from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur last October, she asked the female attendant serving her in premium business class to close her jacket as she “had her blouse opened and I could see the top of her breasts”.

    The letter signed by June Robertson.

     

    “I find it quite disgusting myself as not everyone appreciates this,” she wrote.

    The letter was addressed to senator Hanafi Mamat, from the ruling Umno party. Mamat argued last November that attendants on local airlines should wear “syariah-compliant” uniforms.

    Mamat said tourists might get the wrong impression of the country if stewardesses dress up “sexily and disrespectfully”.

    In her letter, Robertson described herself as a “middle-aged professional woman” who loves Malaysia.

    “One of the things we like about Malaysia is the fact your women do not dress like prostitutes and the people are very respectful of others.

    “This airline is letting your reputation down and if you visit KLIA 2 [Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2] there are many women in red uniforms walking around with very short skirts. Gives the wrong impression of Malaysia… Thank you for addressing this.”

    She did not have a problem with male attendants, whom she described as “respectfully dressed and very professional”.

    Robertson acknowledged the letter when contacted by Stuff but refused to comment further.

    Mamat is not the only Malaysian politician to complain about local airlines’ uniforms. In December 2017, Senator Abdullah Mat Yasim said that the “eye-catching outfits” on AirAsia and other budget local airlines did not reflect the Islamic status of Malaysia.

    Lees ook:

  • AirAsia India Introduces New Routes

    AirAsia India Introduces New Routes

    AirAsia India has announced new flights connecting Chennai with Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar. AirAsia India will start operations on the new flights from February 24, 2018, according to the airline’s website – airasia.com. The move comes over two years after the airline had discontinued operations from Chennai. AirAsia India is offering promotional flight tickets starting at an all-inclusive Rs. 1,299 on the new flights connecting Chennai, according to its website. Bookings for the flights connecting Chennai with Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar are open till January 21, 2018. The fares are applicable on travel till January 31, 2019, the airline noted.

    AirAsia India detailed its promotional fares on the new flights connecting Chennai with Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar:
    airasia chennai offer airasia website
    AirAsia India will fly five times a day in and out of Chennai to Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar, news agency Press Trust of India reported citing a release by the airline on January 15. Bengaluru-based AirAsia India also announced induction of another Airbus A320 into its fleet, raising its size to 15, the agency reported.

    A search on the AirAsia India bookings portal on Wednesday showed tickets for a flight from Bengaluru to Chennai in February-end were available from Rs. 2,799.

    Here are five things to know about the AirAsia India offer on flights connecting Chennai:

    All fares are quoted for single journeys (one-way) and valid for new purchases only, according to the AirAsia website. The fare includes airport taxes (except for selected airports where airport tax is collected at the point of departure), it noted.

    The fares are only available for online bookings at www.airasia.com, according to the airline.Without divulging the total number of seats offered under the scheme, AirAsia India said: “Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights.”

    A non-refundable processing fee is applicable for payments via credit/debit/charge cards, AirAsia India mentioned.

    Changes to flights and dates are permitted subject to change fees, and changes to name are not permitted, according to AirAsia India.

    Lees ook:

  • AirAsia introduces its own mobile wallet, BigPay

    AirAsia introduces its own mobile wallet, BigPay

    AirAsia has joined the ranks of digital wallet providers with its own app, BigPay

    AirAsia Bhd Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes announced the service on Twitter, saying it was part of AirAsia’s digital strategy.

    “One day this product will be worth more than @AirAsia. Many features being rolled out. Soon no more cash on AirAsia,” he said.

    He added that the BigPay electronic wallet would eventually offer foreign exchange remittances and possibly even money lending to AirAsia’s database of 63 million names.

    According to the BigPay’s Google Play page, the app was linked to Mastercard and could be topped up from their debit or credit cards.

    The app is said to be accepted at over 30 million merchants that accept Mastercard globally, plus users would earn AirAsia BIG loyalty points when they spend and get zero processing fees when booking a flight with the airline.

    The app’s page also assured that it was regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia and had the latest security protocols including fingerprint and facial recognition to verify the user’s identity.

    BigPay is available on Google Play store and the Apple App store.

    Lees ook:

  • AirAsia and Uber partner up, now everyone can ride and fly

    AirAsia and Uber partner up, now everyone can ride and fly

    Travellers will now be able to book their rides to the airport a month ahead, following a partnership between AirAsia and Uber.

    The low cost carrier and ride-share service will be working together in 52 cities in 16 markets across Asia Pacific and the United States, where AirAsia operates and the Uber app is available.

    According to the press release, riders would be able to request or schedule rides up to 30 days in advance, when confirming, booking or checking in for AirAsia flights via web or mobile.

    New Uber users would also get free or discounted rides if they enter the promo code “AIRASIA” when registering their account.

    “So, whether you’re trying to get home to see your family, or heading to an important business meeting, your travel experience should be seamless, from door-to-door,” he said.

    AirAsia Bhd Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said AirAsia had found the right ride partner in Uber, as AirAsia was always looking to complement its in-flight experience with services outside the plane.

    “Working with Uber allows our guests to plan their entire trip from the moment they step out of their home right until they arrive at their destination,” he said.

    Lees ook:

  • AirAsia Indonesia’s share price skyrockets after listing

    AirAsia Indonesia’s share price skyrockets after listing

    The price of PT AirAsia Indonesia’s shares has skyrocketed since they were listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) last week.

    The airline’s shares reached 25 percent per day over the last five days.

    Air Asia entered the bourse through a backdoor listing scheme named PT Rimau Multi Para Pratama. After the transactions, the company changed its name to PT Air Asia Indonesia on Jan. 3.

    On Monday, AirAsia Indonesia president director Dendy Kurniawan said the company planned to add two more planes — Airbus A320 planes — to its fleet as it wanted to open up new routes this year.

    He, however, declined to further explain the company’s plans. “We will announce the details next time,” said Dendy.

    Meanwhile, Bertoni Rio, a senior analyst from Anugerah Sekuritas Indonesia, said the price jump was temporary due to the euphoria after the name change from PT Rimau Multi Para Pratama to PT Air Asia Indonesia on Jan. 3.

    He said AirAsia was well-known brand among aviation firms. “The investors have a positive expectation that makes the share price increase.”

    Similar comments came from Achmad Yaki, an analyst at BCA Sekuritas. “It is still in euphoria, we still don’t know the performance of Air Asia,” Achmad said, adding that currently  airline businesses were facing various challenges.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • AirAsia to close Surakarta-Kuala Lumpur route

    Low-cost carrier AirAsia is set to close on Jan. 16 its route from Surakarta in Central Java to Kuala Lumpur.

    AirAsia Berhad commercial head Spencer Lee told Antara news agency that the closure was due to commercial reasons.

    The airline is currently spreading the news among passengers through email and text messages. Those affected by the closure will receive a full refund or be allowed to change their flight by taking off from Semarang, Central Java, or Yogyakarta.

    Despite the move, Lee assured the carrier was still committed to adding more flights to Indonesia this year.

    Meanwhile, Purwanto, operation and service department manager of state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I at Adi Soemarmo International Airport in Central Java, said the operator had heard about the news, but has yet to receive an official confirmation from the carrier.

    “Based on our data, the average number of passengers for the route is relatively high, up to 70 percent capacity,” Purwanto said.

    Lees ook:

  • AirAsia ups Maldives flights to meet growing demand

    AirAsia ups Maldives flights to meet growing demand

    AirAsia is increasing its Maldives operations with the commencement of additional services via its long-haul affiliate, AirAsia X, in addition to the daily flights it currently operates.

    In a statement today, the low-cost airline said AirAsia X would operate the Kuala Lumur-Male service at four times weekly, beginning Feb 6, 2018, under the D7 airline code utilising Airbus A330-300 aircraft, equivalent to an increase of 156,000 seats per year.

    In conjunction with the additional frequency, AirAsia is offering introductory promotional fares from as low as RM199 all-in fare for one-way travel, inclusive of taxes for all Maldives flights from now until Jan 14, 2018 for immediate travel until May 6, 2018.

    AirAsia X Head of Commercial, Barry Klipp, said since commencing the Kuala Lumpur-Maldives service, AirAsia had seen tremendous growth in demand on this route, adding over 130 per cent seat capacity early last year when it increased flight frequency from three to seven weekly flights.

    “Despite this increased capacity, we continue to see robust demand from our wide network and we hope that with this additional service offering with a larger capacity on our A330 aircraft, we will be able to capture this demand and further build our market dominance in the Maldives,” he said.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • AirAsia’s Indonesian arm becomes part of AirAsia Indonesia

    AirAsia’s Indonesian arm becomes part of AirAsia Indonesia

    PT Indonesia AirAsia (IAA), the Indonesian arm of Malaysia-based low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd., has officially become part of publicly listed company PT AirAsia Indonesia (AAI) following the completion of a recent acquisition.

    The former acquired a 57.25 percent shareholding in the latter on Friday.

    Jakarta-listed PT Rimau Multi Pratama (RMPP) was renamed AAI after the conclusion of its rights issue and divestment of its coal trading and transportation business on the same day.

    In the rights issue, IAA’s shareholders, namely PT Fersindo Nusaperkasa (FN) and AirAsia Investment Ltd (AAIL), acted as standby buyers of the new stocks issued by AAI.

    Overall, the transactions have allowed IAA to control the majority stake in AAI, while FN and AAIL hold the remaining 42.75 percent.

    AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said its move in Indonesia followed the listing of AirAsia business entities in the stock markets in Malaysia and Thailand.

    “The corporate deal will bring us closer to the One AirAsia vision with which we plan to list all of our business units in ASEAN on the stock market,” said Fernandes in a press statement on Friday.

    AirAsia said in August that it opted for a backdoor listing through publicly listed firm RMPP to expand its business in Indonesia. The decision was made to avoid lengthy and costly procedures that normally result in an initial public offering (IPO).

    Lees ook:

  • Fernandes to be co-group CEO of AirAsia X

    Fernandes to be co-group CEO of AirAsia X

    Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, who is currently AirAsia’s non-executive director, has been redesignated executive director and co-group chief executive officer of the airline. The long-haul sister company of AirAsia told us that the change would be effective on Jan 1, 2018.

    This means Fernandes, 53, will join current group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun at the helm.

    AirAsia Bhd, where Fernandes is already holding the posts of executive director and group CEO, also recently announced changes at the top as part of its internal reorganisation.

    In a separate development, Bernama reported that AirAsia’s unit, PT AirAsia Indonesia Tbk (AAID), has completed the acquisition of 57.25% shareholding in PT Indonesia AirAsia (IAA).

    In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, AirAsia said, as part of the transaction, AAID completed a rights issues and divestment of its coal trading and transportation businesses.

    “The net cash proceeds of 26 billion rupiah (RM7.78mil) from the rights issue and the divestment would be used for working capital purposes of AAID,” it said.

    It said AirAsia Investment Ltd (AAIL), AirAsia’s wholly-owned unit, would continue to hold a 20.95% direct shareholding in IAA and pursuant to the transfer of IAA Perpetual Securities amounting to 1.27 trillion rupiah to AAID, it has acquired a 47.71% shareholding in the listed AAID.

    Based on yesterday’s last traded price of 240 rupiah, the value of AAIL’s quoted investments in AAID amounted to 1.22 trillion rupiah (RM367.1mil), it said.

    “The objective of the above corporate exercise is to provide IAA access to the equity capital markets, increase its visibility and profile, and also to benefit from the higher corporate governance standards that demand greater transparency and accountability being an integral part of an Indonesia Stock Exchange-listed entity,” it said.

  • AirAsia sets up subsidiary in China

    AirAsia sets up subsidiary in China

    AirAsia is a step closer to setting up a joint-venture low-cost airline operation in China, having received a business licence approval on Nov 13 from the local government (via unit AirAsia Investment) and incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday, AirAsia said the new subsidiary, AirAsia (Guangzhou) Aviation Service Ltd Company, was expected to have issued share capital of US$1mil.

    “The main objective of establishing the subsidiary is to have an aviation and commercial services company in China. The incorporation of the subsidiary is not expected to have any immediate effect on the issued and paid-up share capital or substantial shareholders’ shareholding in AirAsia,” it said.

    On Sept 25, AirAsia inked a non-binding term sheet with Everbright Financial Investment Holdings, Plato Capital and Oxley Capital to supplement a memorandum of understanding (MoU) dated May 14 between it, Everbright and Henan Government Working Group for purposes of setting up a JV in China to operate a low-cost aviation business.

    China-based Everbright is a conglomerate focusing mainly on financial services. Plato, listed on the Singapore Exchange, is involved in hospitality, education and precision engineering sectors while Oxley is part of the Oxley Group, a Singapore-headquartered private investment firm.

    According to the announcement on the MoU, the JV will also look into developing infrastructure apart from setting up a JV low-cost airline. The JV will invest in the development of a low-cost carrier terminal, an aviation academy for pilots, engineers and crew training as well as a maintenance, repair and overhaul provider in Zhengzhou, which is intended as AirAsia China’s operating base and headquarters.

  • New AirAsia flights set to boost east Malaysia connectivity

    New AirAsia flights set to boost east Malaysia connectivity

    Low cost carrier AirAsia flew two inaugural flights yesterday into Sarawak  from Shenzhen to Kuching and Singapore to Bintulu.

    The two new direct flights are part of AirAsia’s plans to boost the international connectivity into east Malaysia.

    This is in line with the government efforts to improve the tourism industry and flight connections into the state.

    Spencer Lee, head of commercial at AirAsia Berhad said: “We are honoured and humbled to welcome two new international flights into Sarawak today.

    “AirAsia has always been committed towards expanding the markets in Sarawak and these direct flights reiterate our commitment to grow the connectivity in and out of the state.

    “To date, we have flown about 4.8 million guests in and out of Sarawak which is 12.1% more from 2016 with China and Singapore in the top five nationality.

    “We hope the introduction of these new routes will foster the number of visitors into Sarawak next year, and this is only made possible by the continuous support rendered by Sarawak’s state government and tourism authorities.”

    AirAsia now flies to 12 destinations from Kuching with a total of 229 weekly flights one way.

    In addition to Shenzhen, the airline also flies from Kuching to Singapore, Pontianak, Miri, Sibu, Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi.

    AirAsia also flies to three destinations from Bintulu namely Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Kuching with a total of 39 weekly flights one way.

  • AirAsia celebrates Clark-Caticlan-Boracay inaugural flight

    AirAsia celebrates Clark-Caticlan-Boracay inaugural flight

    AirAsia is now flying direct to Boracay via Caticlan airport from Clark, Pampanga. The airline, voted the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier for nine years running, flew its maiden flight today with summer inspired theme held at pre-departure area in Clark International Airport. AirAsia flight Z2 922, with pilot in command Captain Samuel Yu-Asensi arrived at 10:55 a.m. AirAsia’s iconic red plane was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute upon landing. Philippines AirAsia’s chief pilot for training and standards Captain Darren Acorda said, “Today marks another milestone for AirAsia operations in Clark airport with the addition of our third domestic route. We are closing the year with Clark-Caticlan route but this early we have already started offering our signature low fares to three more new destinations out of Clark. Clark-Iloilo, Clark-Puerto Princesa and Clark-Tacloban commencing in January, and we are here to give only the best quality service that every traveller from Central and Northern Luzon deserves.”

    To celebrate, AirAsia is offering promo fares for Clark-Caticlan from as low as P1,566 now available for booking at airasia.com today until 31 December 2017 valid for travel between December 18 2017 until January 8, 2018. Clark International Airport officials led by CIA Corporation President Alexander Cauguiran, DOT Regional Director Carol Uy, and Mabalacat Mayor Crisostomo Garbo graced the send-off ceremony with Philippines AirAsia chief pilot for training and standards Captain Darren Acorda representing the airline CEO Captain Dexter Comendador. “AirAsia believes in Clark. We established our base operations here and launched commercial flights in 2012 with only two planes – and now we have a fleet of 17 jets and we are aiming to expand and grow operations here in the coming years,” Acorda said. AirAsia’s Clark-Caticlan operates daily with flights departing Clark at 1:50 p.m. and arriving in Caticlan at 3:05 p.m. Meanwhile, AirAsia is also set to launch three domestic flights starting January 26, 2018.

    Clark-Puerto Princesa and Clark–Iloilo routes will operate three times a week or every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday while Clark–Tacloban route is every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. AirAsia has marked its return to Clark with the launching of flights to Davao and Kalibo from Clark International Airport last March. AirAsia launched commercial flights from Clark in 2012 before transferring its hub to Metro Manila following a strategic partnership with a local carrier in 2013. AirAsia has since been operating on a much larger scale from Metro Manila and has expanded its domestic and international network with flights from secondary hubs in Cebu and Kalibo operating a fleet of 17 aircraft from only two planes when it opened in Clark five years ago.

    Lees ook:

  • AirAsia India Offers Flights To Goa

    AirAsia India Offers Flights To Goa

    AirAsia India is offering flight tickets starting below Rs. 1,400 on select routes in a limited-period sale. AirAsia India is offering tickets starting at Rs. 1,399 on flights from Bengaluru to destinations including Goa under a promotional scheme, according to the airline’s website – airasia.com. The AirAsia India offer requires flyers to make advance bookings, which are open till December 31, 2017, the airline noted. The all-inclusive fares offered under the scheme are applicable on travel till June 30, 2018, AirAsia India noted on its website. Flight tickets starting at an all-inclusive Rs. 1,399 are also available on flights from Bengaluru to Hyderabad and Kochi, it noted.

    AirAsia India offers on flights come days before New Year 2018, amid high competition in the domestic civil aviation market. Many airlines operating in the domestic market offer discounts around the New Year holiday season to attract passengers during a period marked with high demand, say analysts.

    A search on the AirAsia bookings portal on Friday showed tickets for flights from Bengaluru to Goa on January 17 were available for booking at Rs. 1,899.

    Lees ook:

  • AirAsia X appoints a new CFO for its Operations

    AirAsia X appoints a new CFO for its Operations

    AirAsia X, The leading low-cost, long-haul carrier today appointed Wong Mee Yen as chief financial officer (CFO) effective Jan 1, 2018.

    She is replacing outgoing CFO Cheok Huei Shian, who has led the AirAsia X finance team since Feb 25, 2015. Cheok, who is leaving the company to pursue personal interests, will continue with through December 2017 to ensure a smooth transition.

    Wong will report directly to chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail and will be responsible for corporate finance, treasury, financial planning and analysis as well as investor relations.

    “We are pleased to bring back Mee Yen to join our management team at AirAsia X,” group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said in a statement.

    “She was part of the core team in the early days of AirAsia and has played an instrumental role in the success of AirAsia and getting the company listed on the Bursa Malaysia,” Kamarudin said.

    he also thanked Cheok for her contributions towards realising the company’s transformation.

    “Her hard work helped us to return to the black, and she will always be the paragon of an Allstar to us,” Kamarudin said.

    Wong was with AirAsia between 2004 and 2007 as group financial controller. Prior to AirAsia X, she was chief financial officer (MRT project) at LMG Rail Car Sdn Bhd.

     

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Malaysian Senators Think AirAsia’s New Uniforms Are ‘Too Revealing’

    Malaysian Senators Think AirAsia’s New Uniforms Are ‘Too Revealing’

    Malaysian legislators this week criticized the uniforms issued to female crew by two Malaysian airlines, calling them “too revealing” and suggesting they conflict with the country’s Muslim values.

    Senator Datuk Abdullah Mat Yasim targetted the uniforms of AirAsia and Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. Abdullah called on the Malaysian Aviation Commission to investigate the issue during debate on an aviation bill in the Dewan Negara, the upper house of Malaysia’s parliament.

    Another Senator, Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, agreed, and added another culprit to the list, saying “My wife is worried whenever I fly alone on Malindo or AirAsia .  This is a real hassle for me.”

    Abdullah replied that he found the uniforms for Indonesia-based Malindo Air acceptable, because they covered attendants’ “sensitive areas.”

    AirAsia is Malaysia’s largest airline, with operations across East Asia and India. Though Americans might not see AirAsia or Firefly’s uniforms as particularly revealing, female flight crew members feature prominently in AirAsia’s marketing materials. AirAsia also says its crew “loves to sing and dance.” It should be noted, though, that the airline does have male flight attendants – including one whose racy Britney Spears dance routineon an Airbus A330 went viral earlier this year.

    The debate follows comments last week by another Malaysian senator that flight attendants should wear Shariah-compliant uniforms to comport with Malaysian religious standards. Islam is Malaysia’s official religion, though only about 60% of Malaysians are Muslim, and Malaysia touts itself as a tolerant multicultural and multiethnic society.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: