According to local media reports, the founder and CEO of budget airline operator AirAsia Group, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, has announced that it’ll soon launch passenger transport services.
The move comes after the corporate launched a food delivery service in Singapore and pilot trials of a drone delivery service.
Understanding the potential comparison with existing passenger transport giants akin to Grab, Fernandes affirmed that AirAsia can achieve this sector even with stiff competition, citing a history where the corporate has managed to boost funds faster than every other airline.
“I don’t have a big shareholder like Khazanah (Nasional Bhd), ok? If you say Malaysia Airlines is faster, of course it is. Like who else? Singapore Airlines? They also have a large shareholder named Temasek. Name me a private airline that was faster than AirAsia? It is not easy to raise capital in the aviation industry… The reality is which private airline received financing or completed an internship faster than us?” Fernandes he said Edge in an exclusive interview.
“I even have eight years of playing for Grab, from which I can learn something. “I haven’t got to waste all this money experimenting, constructing technology, training drivers and training the market the best way to order, they did all of it for me,” he assured.
The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly done this caused successful for the travel and hospitality sectors, which is the principal reason why AirAsia decided to vary its services.
Subsequently, AirAsia also revealed its plans to enter the market fresh produce supply market in Singapore, where consumers can order imported fish from Japan or ribs from Korea on to their homes in Singapore inside 48 hours.
Even though the startup is attempting to enter various digital spaces, one other one Edge report revealed that for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020 (Q4FY20), the corporate posted a wider-than-expected net lack of RM2.44 billion (~US$580 million).
Commenting on its future prospects, AirAsia replied: “It is worth noting, however, that the Philippines doubled the number of passengers carried, while Indonesia multiplied the number of passengers carried by 11 times on a quarter-on-quarter basis. This shows that in areas where travel restrictions have been lifted, there is a solid rebound in domestic air traffic.”
“Even if borders remain closed, the group is well prepared to rely exclusively on domestic operations this year,” he added.
Countries like Singapore have also began preparing for the return of their tourism industry cooperates with each local and global startups. This collaboration goals to offer tourists with safer travel and tourism within the post-pandemic era.
source: e27.co
