Endorsement from Dr M the proudest moment, says Air Asia chief

PUTRAJAYA: AirAsia received all the publicity and endorsement for its phenomenal growth in over a decade from none other than Malaysia's visionary leader Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister had suggested that AirAsia fly to African countries, saying that the world's fastest growing low-cost carrier was capable of boosting travel and trade between Kuala Lumpur and the continent.

He said this in his keynote address at the Malaysia-Africa Business Forum here Saturday in the run-up to the three-day Langkawi International Dialogue 2011.

"Tun Dr Mahathir is the father of modern Malaysia and he has been one of Malaysia's greatest visionary leaders. He gave me, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, Datuk Aziz Bakar and Datuk Pahamin Rejab the chance to start AirAsia.

"To hear him say such great things about us, I've to say that it's one of my and AirAsia staff proudest days," said AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

Kamarudin described Dr Mahathir's remarks as an honour and an endorsement of what the company had built throughout the years.

"It was a pleasant surprise and honour to the whole group," he said.

Dr Mahathir, who initiated the LID, told the business forum participants that AirAsia was the better bet in enhancing connectivity between Malaysia and Africa.

Dr Mahathir also highlighted the role of low-cost hotels in revving up tourism and business activities.

Since 2001, AirAsia has swiftly broken travel norms around the globe and has risen to become the world's best.

It has three associate companies, namely, AirAsia X, Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia. - Bernama.