By Sharen Kaur
KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Group is preparing for a major expansion, with plans to restore lower airfares, add new routes and improve connectivity as easing oil prices and improving market conditions bolster the airline's recovery, Capital A Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said.
In a social media post, Fernandes said the airline had emerged stronger after navigating the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, crediting long-term business partners for supporting the carrier through one of the most difficult periods in its history.
Fernandes cited AirAsia's longstanding relationship with GE Aerospace, recalling a recent visit to the company's headquarters in Cincinnati.
He said GE Aerospace had backed AirAsia from its early days by supplying engines when the airline was still building its business, describing the relationship as one founded on trust and mutual commitment.
When we started AirAsia, they took a leap of faith with their engine. When we bought more than 1,000 of their engines, they gifted us with one free engine, which still sits at the entrance of AirAsia's headquarters," he said.
Fernandes said the experience reinforced a key lesson from the pandemic – the importance of partners who remain committed during difficult times rather than focusing on short-term challenges.
"One of the lessons I learned from Covid is to know who your friends are. Friends and partners will stand by you through thick and thin and know that the turbulent times too shall pass... Anyone can write a headline, but true partnerships are built on years of shared struggle and mutual respect, and speculative stories don't have a place in between," he said.
"That's what a true partnership and trust look like. That's what true friendship means in business. You don't build an airline empire alone; you build it with people who believe in your resilience and the ability to get back on your feet, even when things look not so rosy," he said.
AirAsia has been rebuilding its operations following the pandemic, restoring capacity, expanding its fleet and increasing regional connectivity as travel demand across Asia continues to recover.
Looking ahead, Fernandes said the easing of geopolitical tensions and softer oil prices provide a more supportive operating environment for the airline.
"The war has ended (hopefully for good), oil prices are coming down, and AirAsia is ready for a massive comeback story," Fernandes said.
He added that customers can expect lower fares, an expanded route network and greater connectivity as the airline accelerates its growth plans.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/07/1479172/airasia-poised-comeback-lower-oil-prices-support-expansion-plans
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