AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, commended Prime Minister Najib Razak’s leadership and policies for helping and backing the airline all the way to become a world leader in the aviation sector. 

AirAsia Group chief executive officer/AirAsia X co-group CEO Tony Fernandes, said the airline started with two planes 16 years ago had grown following the government’s policies and a leader who put the people first. 

“We’ve been big believers in your policies ... We would not be where we are today if not for your wisdom and vision, and we respectfully hope for your kind consideration on how best to shape an ideal cost environment for low-cost airlines like AirAsia not just to grow but thrive for the benefit of the nation,” he said at the official launch of AirAsia headquarters, RedQ, by Najib in Sepang today. 

Fernandes said the rakyat recognised and appreciated the strength and compassion Najib has shown in tackling this country’s biggest issues where others had failed or feared to tread.

Meanwhile, Fernandes said, AirAsia named Najib (photo) as the ‘Father of Low-Cost Air Travel’ following his continuous contributions to the low-cost airline. 

He said when Najib was deputy prime minister, he agreed to lower Passenger Service Charge (PSC) at Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) from RM35 to RM25 in June 2007.

“Thanks to that bold move, even with only six months left in that year, we saw passenger traffic at LCCT jumped 31 per cent to 7.6. million from 5.8 million in 2006,” he said,

He said the passenger traffic would continue to grow at an annual rate of 25 per cent before dropping to 13 per cent per annum after PSC was raised to RM32 in November 2011. 

Fernandes said Malaysia’s gross domestic product growth of 5.9 per cent, low employment at 3.3 per cent, 2.26 million jobs created since 2009 were among the success story under the stewardship of Najib.

Meanwhile, he said, AirAsia needed a low-cost terminal to make it the biggest airline in Asia and world. 

“It is about the people.The success story of AirAsia is good for Malaysia and contributes to the rising standards of living which the prime minister has been targeting,” he said. 

- Bernama