AirAsia Group upbeat on adding capacities, new destinations

SEPANG: Low-cost carrier AirAsia Group Bhd is upbeat on adding more capacities and new destinations as part of its longterm strategies, despite the current higher oil prices.

Expressing optimism, chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the airline would not take a short-term decision by cutting capacities, but rather invest for future profitability.

“Malaysia is now becoming the centre of low-cost travel. We will continue building that and add capacities as well as find ways to reduce cost, while keeping fares low to allow the market to grow,” he said after officiating a groundbreaking ceremony of a dedicated processing centre (security, immigration and customs) for departing crew at klia2, yesterday.

Fernandes is hopeful that airlines would cooperate with airports operator (Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd), the Transport Ministry as well as other related parties in finding ways to reduce cost and improve efficiency.

“This would make Malaysia a number one low-cost hub in Asia Pacific,” he said, adding that the collaboration would improve both the airlines’ and the airport operators’ incomes.

Fernandes said the cooperation would boost economic activities and create more jobs in tourism as well as increase air traffic in the country, He added that AirAsia would keep growing and increasing market share by introducing new destinations.