dailypedia
The CEO speaks up.
Is it bad? Uhhm, yes.. Hmm bad?? Nah.
In a recent interview of ANC with AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes, he talked about his frustrations about Philippines.
He addressed the issue about the airport congestion and bureaucracy issues that he thought ‘hampering airlines from growing and expanding its operations in the country.’
“You’re going to get me banned from coming to the Philippines,” he laughed. “I’m frustrated by the airport, by a lot of bureaucracy, getting air rights takes a long time… Things are slow, it goes through so many different processes and the airport has the final say.”
However, AirAsia CEO immediately followed it up that the country is undeniably “the jewel in our crown.”
“I think Philippines has massive tourism potential, amazing people, and has some of the most beautiful places in the world that the world doesn’t know about — Palawan, Coron, Bohol, these are amazing places. I think there needs to have a much more commercial approach to aviation. We need better airport infrastructure, and I think lots and lots of jobs can be generated through tourism,” he said.
Low-budget carrier leader cited that there are few flights between the Philippines, including the SouthEast Asia countries.
“If you have an SM approach to flying in the Philippines, there’ll be more airports, flights and it’ll be cheaper. There are so few flights between Philippines and the rest of Asean. Part of that has been there are no rights available. And Philippines hasn’t gone out and gotten rights,” he said.
He has indeed high hopes that tourism will create and land a good job for every Filipinos, who do not need to leave families to work abroad.
“Philippines is one of those things that is a raw diamond, so much tourism potential but hasn’t got there yet… If there’s one thing that we love to do, it’s create jobs. It breaks my heart to see so many Filipinos go abroad to get a job. Tourism is a natural win, and if the government can get together and make it easier for airlines to grow, easier to get rights, it’s a win,” he added.
Reactivating Clark Aiport project maybe the solution
Fernandes had talked with the government to revive the rail project operations in Clark as he sees it to become the second international gateway in the country.
“I am a big believer in Clark. I hope the North Rail project would be reactivated. Clark is a jewel. With all the problems at NAIA…. Clark is a fantastic solution. There are lots of issues regarding infrastructure, not just in Philippines, but there are solutions. I appeal to the Philippine government to reactivate the North-Rail, make Clark a second airport of Manila,” he said.
The lowcost airline started their operations in Clark International Airport in 2012. But they moved to NAIA Terminal 4 shortly after a year.
Business goal
AirAsia has been known as one of the Asia’s largest budget airlines by passenger volume and CEO gladly confessed the reason in their boosting and stable operations.
“The key to AirAsia has been the same model for 14 years. The temptation is to add a little bit, put a TV in there, make the seat wider, have a business class lounge and your costs go up and you lose the very essence of what you are — low-cost, great value fares,” he said. “The primary reason why they fly AirAsia is that we give great value. If you lose your key focus, why you’re in business, that’s where trouble starts.”
When asking about what more he aspires for AirAsia, “Someday, after I retire, if AirAsia is as well-known as Coca-Cola, that’ll be great,” he said.
Enjoy flying trip from Manila to Hongkong
AirAsia will launch its new offering flights from Manila to Hongkong. High number of passengers are expected to travel next month as the carrier drops down the price with a P1 fare promo (one-way travel to Hongkong) for its initial flights. The travel period is scheduled from May 8 to October 23. The flights will be on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
“We are opening Manila-Hongkong route as part of our commitment to give passengers especially our Filipino overseas workers and leisure travelers more choices, better value and only the best, quality service at super low fares,” Joy Cañeba, AirAsia Philippines’ chief executive said.
Aside from Hongkong, other AirAsia flights include China and Korea. Currently, it has flights serving Boracay (Kalibo), Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Cebu, Tacloban, and Tagbiliran (Bohol).
