Air Asia: Always Beating The Odds!
The airline industry was always an industry associated with glamour and was often considered to be above most other industries in the world. Low cost flying was something which sounded very good as an idea, but was almost impossible to carry through as a workable solution.
Low cost operations meant cost cutting on a serious note, and the aviation industry also required strict adherence to a number of rules and regulations, especially those even remotely related to passenger safety. Air Asia, in such a scenario, which was teeming with doubt, started off operations in November 1996. True, that the airline faced some rough initial years, but after the buyout by Tony Fernandes’ company in 2001, the airline moved out of its debt ridden image and began seeing clearer skies.
But for the steely grit and determination to make low cost flying a dream come true in Asia, Air Asia will always be remembered as the airline that lead the way.
A new beginning for Air Asia!
Within a year of the buyout, Air Asia, against all odds, started posting profits. The hub in Kuala Lumpur saw a lot of activity with new routes being launched, and the beginning of a price was with the closest competitor Malaysia Airlines, by offering tickets at the price of just MYR 1.
In the year 2003 Air Asia went international after beginning operations at a new hub at the Senai International Airport near Singapore. The first international flight was to the city of Bangkok and Air Asia has not looked back since!