AirAsia was established in 1993 with commenced operations on 18 November 1996. At the beginning, the founder of AirAsia was a government-owned conglomerate, DRB-HICOM. On 2 December 2001, the heavily indebted of AirAsia was bought by the current Chief executive Officer (CEO) of AirAsia, Dato’ Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes. Dato’ Dr.
Sri Tony Fernandes now is the former of AirAsia. (ukessays, 2017) After Tony Fernandes bought AirAsia, he settled the airline debts with his team immediately. Under the leadership of Dato’ Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes, the business round of AirAsia began making earnings. They commencing new path from its hub in Kuala Lumpur by cutting Malaysian Airlines with promotional fares in 2002.
From then, AirAsia cleared its former debts which worth USD 11 million and became a profit making low cost carrier. (Introduction to AirAsia, 2016)AirAsia located headquater near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The main hub of AirAsia was at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and the second hub which is opened at Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru. (Resourcing team, 2011) The other hub of AirAsia was located at Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuching and Langkawi International Airport. AirAsia has been expanding its routes to different countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and China. AirAsia was recognized by its lowest fare, quality services and their tagline “Now Everyone Can Fly” which is introduced by Dato’ Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes.
(Introduction to AirAsia, 2016) AirAsia low fare service also not limited to flights in Asia countries. The vision of AirAsia is “To be the largest low cost airline in Asia and serving the 3 billion people who are currently underserved with poor connectivity and high fares.” and the mission of AirAsia is “To attain the lowest cost so that everyone can fly with AirAsia and maintain the highest quality product, embracing technology to reduce cost and enhance service levels.” (AirAsia Mission, Vision and value)Today, AirAsia flies over domestic and international destinations with 108 routes and operates over 400 flights daily from hub in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. For example, AirAsia now flies to all ASEAN countries and some Asian countries that include India, Iran, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as well as to the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Korea and Australia via AirAsiaX. (Resourcing team, 2011) AirAsia commit to publish the lowest fare to the customers in the hope of getting the customers to the desired destinations. Besides generating profits from the day to day operation, AirAsia also concerned about the community.
AirAsia has been participating in many Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities to lend a hand and contribute to the community. For instance, AirAsia joined hand with UNICEF to raise $ 128 million for children and families that encountered natural disaster, earthquake in Haiti. Not only that, AirAsia also provide free transportation to aid worker to and from disaster areas which encountered cyclone-ravaged in Myanmar. (introduction to air asia, 2017)In addition, AirAsia has been named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the ninth time in a row at the 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards. These award also known as the “Oscars of the aviation industry” which was presented to Asia’s largest low-cost carrier. Furthermore, the airline also named Asia’s Best Low-Cost Airline in Asia. According to The Star, AirAsia is Asia’s biggest low-cost carrier by the number of passengers carried, with an extensive network covering more 120 destinations in 26 countries across Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Middle East and the United States. (Yun, 2017)
