AirAsia

Low-cost airline of Malaysia

"Air Asia" redirects here. For other uses, see Air Asia (disambiguation).

Not to be confused with Asia Airways, Asian Airlines, Asiana Airlines, or TransAsia Airways.

AirAsia

| IATA | ICAO | Callsign

|
|

AK  | AXM  | RED CAP
Founded| 20 December 1993; 30 years ago (1993-12-20)
Commenced operations| 18 November 1996; 27 years ago (1996-11-18)
Operating bases|

* Johor Bahru
* Kota Kinabalu
* Kuala Lumpur–International
* Kuching
* Penang

Frequent-flyer program| AirAsia Rewards[1]
Subsidiaries|

* AirAsia Cambodia
* AirAsia X
* Indonesia AirAsia
* Philippines AirAsia
* Thai AirAsia
* Thai AirAsia X

Fleet size| 255 (including subsidiaries)
Destinations| 166 (including subsidiaries)
Parent company| Tune Group
Traded as| MYX: 5099
ISIN| MYL5099OO006
Headquarters| Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia
Key people|

* Tony Fernandes (Group CEO of Capital A Berhad)
* Kamarudin Meranun (Chairman)

Revenue|  RM 6.44 billion (2022)
Operating income|  RM −1.39 billion (2022)
Net income|  RM −3.30 billion (2022)
Total assets|  RM 19.93 billion (2022)
Total equity|  RM −9.52 billion (2022)
Employees| 23,000 (2023)
Website| www.airasia.com

Capital A Berhad, (MYX: 5099) 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 166 destinations spanning 25 countries.[2] Its main base is KLIA Terminal 2, the low-cost carrier terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. Its affiliate airlines AirAsia Cambodia, Thai AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia, and Philippines AirAsia have bases in Phnom Penh, Bangkok–Don Mueang, Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta, and 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.[3] It has also consistently been named as the world's best low-cost carrier for 14 years by Skytrax in a row in international travel and airline awards, including the latest award for 2023.[4]

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 the Asia leg of Taylor Swift's Red Tour.

## History[edit]

### Foundation (1993–2005)[edit]

AirAsia was established as a full-service airline in 1993 and began operations on 18 November 1996. It was founded by a government-owned conglomerate, DRB-HICOM. On 5 September 2001, the heavily indebted airline was bought by former Time Warner (now known as Warner Bros. Discovery) executive Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun's[5] company Tune Air Sdn Bhd for the token sum of one ringgit (about US$0.26 at the time) with MYR 40 million (US$10.5 million) worth of debts.[6] Tune Air officially took over AirAsia on 8 December 2001. The partners turned the company around, and AirAsia subsequently announced a rebrand and relaunch on 15 January 2002 as a low-cost airline. It produced a profit in 2002 and launched new routes from its hub in Kuala Lumpur, undercutting former monopoly operator Malaysia Airlines with promotional fares as low as MYR 10 (US$2.63). In 2003, AirAsia opened a second hub at Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru. International flights to Phuket and Bangkok were launched in December 2003 and February 2004, respectively.[7]

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. AirAsia launched its Indonesian affiliate Indonesia AirAsia, formerly known as Awair, in 2005.[7] 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.

### Expansion (2006–present)[edit]

At the end of 2006, Fernandes unveiled a five-year plan to further enhance AirAsia's presence in Asia.[8] 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 hubs in Bangkok and Jakarta. With increased frequency and the addition of new routes, AirAsia carried 13.9 million passengers in 2007, an improvement over the 5.7 million passengers it carried in 2006.[9]

In August 2011, AirAsia agreed to form an alliance with Malaysia Airlines by means of a share swap.[10] This would have reduced competition and help the Malaysian flag carrier return to profitability. However, the deal was terminated in 2012.[11]

AirAsia would continue its regional expansion in Asia, launching its affiliates Philippines AirAsia in 2012 and AirAsia India in 2014. In 2017, it planned to set up a new affiliate in China but failed.[12] Plans were also made since 2005 to enter the Vietnam market by establishing an affiliate airline of its own there; however, after four attempts, AirAsia terminated its plan to set up its own airline in Vietnam.[13]

AirAsia suspended its operations in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It later resumed domestic operations in April 2020, followed by its affiliates soon after.[14] In October 2021, AirAsia restarted international flights after the Malaysian government lifted travel restrictions.[15]

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.[16] On 28 January 2022, the company changed its corporate name from AirAsia Group Bhd to Capital A Bhd to reflect the expansion of its business portfolio beyond the core budget airline. However, its airline business continued to use the AirAsia brand.[17]

AirAsia's origin, corporate identity and livery timeline

A Boeing 737-300 with the original livery as a government-owned full-service carrier (1996–2002 livery)

A Boeing 737-300 after the Tune Group takeover as a low-cost carrier (2002–2005 livery)

Airbus A320, the workhorse fleet on the airline since 2005 (2005–2008 livery)

An A320 with the second iteration of the 2005 scheme (2008–2012 livery)

An A320 with its current colour scheme (2012–2016 livery)

An A320neo with the second iteration of the current livery (2016–present livery)

## Corporate affairs[edit]

KLIA LCCT, which housed the AirAsia head office until the opening of RedQuarters

The head office is the Red Quarters (RedQ) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Selangor.[18] This facility also serves as the company's registered office.[19]

The airline has moved its head office to a new 56,985.1 m2 (613,383 sq ft), RM140mil facility constructed at klia2 on 7 November 2016.[20] 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.[21] The former registered office was on level 13 of the Menara Prima Tower B in Petaling Jaya.[22]

RedQ is scheduled to hold about 2,000 AirAsia and AirAsia X employees.[20] 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.[23] Construction on the facility was scheduled to begin in July 2014.[24] Malaysia Airports Holdings is leasing the land that will be occupied by the headquarters.[23] An AirAsia X flight attendant gave the building the name "RedQuarters" or "RedQ", and its groundbreaking ceremony was held in November 2014.[20]

### Business highlights[edit]

AirAsia Group/Capital A business highlights[25] Financial performance (RM million)

Fiscal year  | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 | 2003–04 | 2004–05 | 2005–06 | 2006–07 | 2008  | 2009  | 2010  | 2011  | 2012  | 2013  | 2014  | 2015  | 2016  | 2017  | 2018  | 2019  | 2020  | 2021  | 2022
Revenue | 167.7  | 217.4  | 330.0  | 392.7  | 666.0  | 1,071  | 2,697  | 2,855  | 3,133  | 3,948  | 4,495  | 4,946  | 5,112  | 5,416  | 6,298  | 6,846  | 9,710  | 10,638  | 11,860  | 3,274  | 1,836  | 6,437
Expenses | 182.3  | 218.7  | 318.5  | 332.1  | 532.6  | 997.0  | 2,180  | 3,207  | 2,220  | 2,881  | 3,332  | 3,917  | 4,249  | 4,590  | 4,702  | 4,735  | 7,549  | 9,419  | 11,136  | 8,697  | 4,682  | 7,831
Operating income | −14.6 | −1.3 | 11.5  | 60.6  | 133.4  | 74.0  | 518.0  | −352 | 913  | 1,067  | 1,163  | 1,029  | 863  | 826  | 1,596  | 2,111  | 2,161  | 1,219  | 725  | −5,422 | −2,846 | −1,394
Net income | −19.1 | −1.7 | 18.8  | 49.1  | 111.6  | 201.7  | 923.7  | −496 | 506  | 1,061  | 555  | 790  | 362  | 83  | 541  | 1,619  | 1,571  | 1,695  | −283 | −5,888 | −3,721 | −3,304
Assets | 49.3  | 51.4  | 124.3  | 350.0  | 1,123  | 2,574  | 11,209  | 9,406  | 11,398  | 13,240  | 13,906  | 15,729  | 17,856  | 20,664  | 21,316  | 21,986  | 21,674  | 18,550  | 25,595  | 19,866  | 20,030  | 19,928
Liabilities | 154.3  | 48.8  | 75.3  | 199.7  | 170.1  | 1,426  | 7,448  | 7,800  | 8,777  | 9,599  | 9,870  | 10,869  | 12,855  | 16,109  | 16,865  | 15,358  | 14,964  | 12,365  | 22,684  | 23,436  | 26,453  | 29,445
Equity | −105.0 | 2.6  | 49.0  | 150.3  | 952.9  | 1,148  | 3,761  | 1,606  | 2,621  | 3,641  | 4,036  | 4,860  | 5,001  | 4,555  | 4,451  | 6,628  | 6,710  | 6,185  | 2,911  | −3,570 | −6,423 | −9,517
Operating highlights (group)
Fiscal year  | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 | 2003–04 | 2004–05 | 2005–06 | 2006–07 | 2008  | 2009  | 2010  | 2011  | 2012  | 2013  | 2014  | 2015  | 2016  | 2017  | 2018  | 2019  | 2020  | 2021  | 2022
Passengers | 290,687  | 610,738  | 1,481,097  | 2,838,822  | 4,414,069  | 5,719,411  | 13,935,506  | 11,808,058  | 14,253,244  | 25,680,609  | 29,975,005  | 34,137,594  | 42,431,075  | 45,578,458  | 50,258,794  | 54,778,693  | 63,385,096  | 72,907,649  | 83,107,856  | 22,800,877  | 7,740,504  | 34,197,289
Available seats | 468,850  | 925,361  | 2,001,482  | 3,686,782  | 5,885,425  | 7,332,578  | 17,419,383  | 15,744,077  | 19,004,325  | 33,058,197  | 37,505,692  | 42,974,280  | 53,777,570  | 58,185,900  | 62,809,426  | 63,826,307  | 72,283,184  | 86,089,380  | 97,585,626  | 30,584,954  | 10,808,358  | 40,833,504
Load factor (%) | 62.00  | 66.00  | 74.00  | 77.00  | 75.00  | 78.00  | 80.00  | 75.00  | 75.00  | 77.45  | 79.81  | 73.83  | 75.59  | 77.41  | 79.46  | 85.61  | 83.75  | 81.98  | 80.18  | 74.76  | 71.78  | 83.72
RPK (million) | 363  | 672  | 1,539  | 2,771  | 4,881  | 6,702  | 15,793  | 14,439  | 16,890  | 29,612  | 35,090  | 38,699  | 47,880  | 52,183  | 58,479  | 65,971  | 74,986  | 84,490  | 96,245  | 21,642  | 6,231  | 33,005
ASK (million) | 586  | 1,018  | 2,086  | 3,592  | 6,525  | 8,646  | 20,310  | 16,890  | 22,159  | 38,704  | 43,940  | 48,581  | 60,261  | 66,625  | 73,209  | 77,266  | 85,961  | 101,446  | 112,995  | 29,296  | 8,724  | 39,773
Fleet size  | 2  | 3  | 7  | 17  | 27  | 42  | 65  | 78  | 84  | 90  | 97  | 118  | 154  | 172  | 171  | 174  | 205  | 226  | 246  | 247  | 213  | 209

Notes

* AirAsia changed its financial year from 31 March to 30 June in 2002. It was changed again to the current 31 December in 2007.
* The 2006–07 fiscal year spans the period from 1 July 2006 to 31 December 2007, though their annual reports indicate two separate periods (including a six-month period in 2007)[26] for that fiscal year.
* The financial highlights table only includes figures from the Capital A Consolidated Airlines Group consisting of its main affiliate in Malaysia, and sub-affiliates Indonesia AirAsia and Philippines AirAsia.[27]

## Affiliate airlines[edit]

### AirAsia Cambodia[edit]

Main article: 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.[28] On 9 December 2022, AirAsia and Sivilai Asia signed a joint venture agreement to establish AirAsia Cambodia,[29] with AirAsia owning majority of the airline.[30] The airline is planned to commence operations in late 2023.[29]

### AirAsia India[edit]

Main article: AirAsia India

AirAsia India was the Indian affiliate of AirAsia. The airline was announced as a joint venture between AirAsia, Arun Bhatia, and Tata Sons on 19 February 2013. It commenced operations on 12 June 2014.[31] The airline is headquartered in Chennai,[32] with its primary hub at Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore.[33][34]

In November 2020, AirAsia reviewing its India operations run in partnership with Tata Sons signalling a possible exit from the country.[35] The airline was later sold to Tata Sons in 2022, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India Limited.[36][37] The airline is set to be merged into Air India Express by 2023.[38]

### AirAsia Japan[edit]

Main article: AirAsia Japan

AirAsia Japan was the Japanese low-cost airline affiliate of AirAsia based in Nagoya and formerly in Narita. The airline was first announced as a joint venture between AirAsia and All Nippon Airways in 2011.[39] It flew its first flight in August 2012.[39] The joint venture was terminated in June 2013, which led to the airline ceasing operations on 27 October 2013.[40]

A relaunch of AirAsia Japan was announced in 2014.[41] It recommenced operations on 29 October 2017, but due to low passenger demand caused by COVID-19 pandemic, it ceased operations on 5 October 2020.[42]

### AirAsia X[edit]

Main article: 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.[43] AirAsia X is also affiliated with Virgin Group[44] 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, Newcastle and Adelaide Airport. Sustained fares were predicted to be around MYR 800 (A$285) for a return fare, plus taxes.[45] Interest was also expressed in using Gold Coast Airport as another Australian destination.[46] AirAsia X began operations on 2 November 2007, with its first flight from Kuala Lumpur to Gold Coast.

### Indonesia AirAsia & Indonesia AirAsia X[edit]

Main articles: Indonesia AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia X

Indonesia AirAsia serves as the Indonesian affiliate of AirAsia, It operates scheduled domestic and international flights from Indonesia, with its main base at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta.[47] 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. It ceased scheduled operations in January 2019.

### Philippines AirAsia[edit]

Main article: 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.[48] The airline was launched on 16 December 2010[48] and commenced operations on 28 March 2012.[49]

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.[50] It merged with Philippines AirAsia in 2015.[51]

### Thai AirAsia & Thai AirAsia X[edit]

Main articles: Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X

Thai AirAsia is a joint venture between AirAsia and Thailand's Asia Aviation. It serves AirAsia's regularly scheduled domestic and international flights from Bangkok and other cities in Thailand. Prior to 2016, Thai AirAsia was 55% owned by Asia Aviation and 45% owned by AirAsia International. King Power acquired 39% of Asia Aviation in 2016. 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.[52]

In May 2022, AirAsia announced the introduction of its ride-hailing service in Thailand, AirAsia Ride.[53][54] Thailand is the second country AirAsia is expanding the e-hailing services in, directly competing with the dominant player, Grab.

In January 2024, AirAsia X Acquired Capital A's Airline Businesses. This includes AirAsia Malaysia and AirAsia subsidiaries in Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Cambodia. The idea behind this move is to make the company simpler and help each part of the business be valued on its own. This could mean more value for the shareholders in the end.[55]

## Destinations[edit]

Main article: List of AirAsia Group destinations

Countries in which AirAsia operates (January 2024)[56][57]

The AirAsia Group operates flights to 165 destinations in 25 countries worldwide. 24 of its destinations are its bases, with Kuala Lumpur International Airport being the largest base of the group.

Country  | City  | Airport  | Notes  | Refs

|
|
|
|

## Fleet[edit]

### Current fleet[edit]

As of January 2024[update], AirAsia Malaysia operates the following aircraft:[58]

AirAsia fleet  Aircraft  | In service  | Orders  | Passengers  | Notes

|
|
|
|

C  | Y  | Total  |
Airbus A320-200 | 67  | 2  | - | 180  | 180  |
Airbus A320neo | 29  | -- | - | 186  | 186  |
Airbus A321neo | 2  | 326[59] | - | 236  | 236  | Delivery will resume in 2024.[60]
Airbus A321LR | -- | 36  | - | –  | –  | Delivery will commence in 2025.[61]
Teleport fleet
Airbus A321-200/P2F | 3  | –[62] | Cargo | 9M-TLA,9M-TLB and 9M-TLP
Total  | 101  | 367  |

### Private aircraft[edit]

AirAsia Private fleet  Aircraft  | In service  | Orders  | Passengers  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Bombardier Global Express | 1  | 0  | 13  | 9M-CJG
Total  | 1  | 0  | 13  |

### Fleet renewal and development[edit]

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

A lineup of AirAsia Airbus A320s at KLIA Terminal 2 in September 2022

In June 2011, AirAsia ordered 200 Airbus A320neos at the Paris Air Show.[63][64] 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.[63] The deal was worth US$18 billion at list prices, although AirAsia will have obtained a substantial discount from those prices.[64] The deal makes AirAsia Airbus' single biggest customer.[65] On 13 December 2012, AirAsia placed an order for an additional 100 Airbus A320 jets, splitting it between 64 A320neo and 36 A320ceo.[66]

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.[67] Air Asia planned to fly these larger aircraft to airports that had infrastructure constraints.[68] 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.[69] With this order, 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.[70] 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.[71]

### Former fleet[edit]

An AirAsia Boeing 747-200 (N620FF) in a hybrid AirAsia-Tabung Haji livery leased from Tower Air for charter operations during the Hajj season in 2000

AirAsia formerly operated the following aircraft:[58]

AirAsia former fleet  Aircraft  | Total  | Introduced  | Retired  | Replacement  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

Boeing 737-300 | 32  | 1996  | 2009  | Airbus A320-200 |
Boeing 747-200B | 2  | 2000  | 2000  | None  | Leased from Tower Air
3  | 2003  | 2003  | Leased from Air Atlanta Icelandic and European Aviation Air Charter.
McDonnell Douglas MD-11ER | 1  | 1999  | 2000  | Leased from World Airways

## Services[edit]

### On board[edit]

Chicken rice meal served on a flight from Malaysia to Singapore.

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 [72] 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.[73]

### Frequent-flyer program[edit]

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.[74]

## Awards and recognitions[edit]

* Skytrax
* World's Best Low-Cost Airline (2009–present)[4]
* World Travel Awards
* World's Leading Low-Cost Airline (2013–present)[75]
* World's Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew (2017–present)[75]
* Asia's Leading Low-Cost Airline (2016–present)[76]

## Criticism and controversy[edit]

### Barisan Nasional-themed flight[edit]

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.[77] 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.[78]

### Other controversies and issues[edit]

In 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.[79] 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.[80]

## Incidents and accidents[edit]

* 10 January 2011: AirAsia Flight 5218, an Airbus A320-200 (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.[81]
* 7 July 2014 : AirAsia Flight 278, an Airbus A320-200 (9M-AQA), Brunei suffered a runway excursion on landing. The airplane touched down on runway 03 and went off the side, coming to rest in the grass. An emergency evacuation was carried out.
* 14 February 2022 : AirAsia Flight 5748, an Airbus A320-200 (9M-RAN), Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Tawau Airport diverted to Kuching International Airport After the captain found out about the snake, he took "appropriate action" and landed in the city of Kuching \-- 900 kilometres (560 miles) west of Tawau \-- so the plane could be fumigated, AirAsia said.

## Notable former Air Asia[edit]

A few personality who once work with Air Asia including celebrity TV and media

Personality Media

•Anim Ezati Rizki - TV host ,model & former 999 (Malaysian TV series) host from 2018-2020

•Nik Shuhadah Nik Hassan - Buletin Utama news anchor

•Ramzan Mohd Saudi - Buletin Utama news anchor

Film & Television

•Ana Dahlia - former actress

## See also[edit]

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

## References[edit]

1. ^ "AirAsia Rewards". Airasia.com. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
2. ^ "AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with over 165 routes covering destinations in and around Asia". routsonline.com. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
3. ^ Kurlantzick, Joshua (23 December 2007). "Does Low Cost Mean High Risk?". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
4. ^ a b "AirAsia Voted World's Best Low-Cost Airline for 13th straight year". Newsroom AirAsia. 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
5. ^ "Datuk Kamarudin Meranun". newsroom.airasia.com. 28 March 2018. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
6. ^ "Tony Fernandes". Bloomberg Businessweek. 11 July 2004. Archived from the original on 1 September 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
7. ^ a b "History". AirAsia Museum. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
8. ^ Leong Hung Yee (27 December 2006). "AirAsia embarks on 2nd chapter". The Star. Kuala Lumpur.
9. ^ AirAsia Group. "AirAsia's 2007 Annual Report" (PDF). AirAsia.
10. ^ Lopez, Leslie (10 August 2011). "Major Overhaul of Malaysia's Airline Sector". Jakarta Globe. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012.
11. ^ "Malaysian Airlines and AirAsia scrap share swap deal". BBC News. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
12. ^ "Malaysia's AirAsia drops joint venture plan to set up base in China". Reuters. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
13. ^ "AirAsia fails in fourth Vietnam joint venture bid". VnExpress International. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
14. ^ "AirAsia announces resumption of domestic flights". AirAsia Newsroom. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
15. ^ "AirAsia to reopen all Malaysian routes, push for overseas flights". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
16. ^ Sulhi Khalid (3 January 2022). "AirAsia proposes name change to Capital A Bhd". The Edge Markets. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
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## External links[edit]

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AirAsia

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AirAsia Group

* Group destinations
* Tony Fernandes (CEO)
* Kamarudin Meranun (Chairman)

Affiliates
(year began operating
with AirAsia Group)|

* Thai AirAsia (2004)
* Indonesia AirAsia (2005)
* AirAsia X (2007)
* Philippines AirAsia (2012)
* Thai AirAsia X (2014)

Defunct affiliates
(year of operating
with AirAsia Group)|

* FlyAsianXpress (2006–07)
* AirAsia Japan (2012–2013/2017–2020)
* AirAsia Zest (2013–2015)
* AIX Connect (2014-2022)
* Indonesia AirAsia X (2014–2019)

Sports teams|

* Queens Park Rangers (2011–present) (English football)
* Petaling Jaya Rangers (2011–present) (Malaysian football)
* Team Lotus/Caterham F1 Team (2010–2014 defunct) (motorsport)
* Caterham Racing GP2 (2011–2014 defunct; sold to Status Grand Prix) (motorsport)
* Ongetta 125cc Team (2010) (motorsport)
* Ajo Motorsport 125cc-Moto3 (2011–2013) (motorsport)
* Caterham Moto2 (2014 defunct; rebranded as SIC Racing Team in 2015 and switch to Moto3) (motorsport)

Accidents|

* Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 (December 2014; 162 fatalities)

See also
Tune Group (parent company)

* Italics indicates defunct companies

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* e

Tune Group

Tune Group company|

* AirAsia
* AirAsia X
* Tune Protect
* Tune Hotel
* Tune Money
* Tune Talk
* Caterham Group
* Tune Sport (ASEAN Basketball League) (Queens Park Rangers F.C.) (Caterham F1 (defunct)) (Caterham Racing GP2 (defunct))

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Airlines of Malaysia

Mainline|

| Full service|

* Malaysia Airlines (Flag carrier)
* Batik Air Malaysia

|

Low-cost|

* AirAsia
* AirAsia X
* Firefly

Regional|

* MASwings
* SKS Airways

Cargo|

* MASkargo
* Raya Airways
* World Cargo Airlines

Charter|

* Berjaya Air
* Hornbill Skyways
* Layang Layang Aerospace
* MHS Aviation
* Sabah Air
* Weststar Aviation

Defunct|

* Awan Inspirasi
* Borneo Airways
* Eaglexpress
* Federation Air Service
* Malaysia–Singapore Airlines
* MYAirline
* Pelangi Air
* Rayani Air
* Sabah Airways
* Saeaga Airlines
* Vision Air Malaysia
* Wearne's Air Service

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

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