AirAsia seeks collaboration with Malindo Airways

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KUALA LUMPUR: Budget airline AirAsia is seeking to discuss potential areas of collaboration with stakeholders of the new Malindo Airways.

Its group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said in this regard, he would be meeting with Lion Air’s parent company, PT Lion Grup’s (rpt Grup) president director, Rusdi Kirana soon.

“We can collaborate with Malindo Airways. I am not here to make enemies. I will meet Rusdi over dinner soon.

“There are many thing that we can collaborate on. Personally, I respect Rusdi who has done a fantastic job in Indonesia,” Fernandes told reporters after launching AirAsia’s Badminton Academy, here yesterday.

However, he said the competition between AirAsia and Malindo Airways, was still on.

“AirAsia has a very strong foothold in the regional aviation industry to face the competition.

“Without doubt, we will compete against each other. I know what it takes for an airline to win,” he added.

National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd (Nadi) and PT Lion Grup will form the new frills-free Malindo Airways, which is poised to start operations in May 2013 using the soon-to-be completed KLIA2 in Sepang.

It plans to offer flights within Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as to Thailand, China, India, Japan and Australia.

Nadi owns a 51 per cent stake in Malindo Airways, with the balance held by the Lion Grup. — Bernama