Fernandes new airline is no threat to Qantas
Speculation yesterday that Air Asia boss Tony Fernandes is planning to start a new regional airline to compete with Australian carrier Qantas appears well wide of the mark.
The reports, culled from a Malaysian newspaper report, indicated that the airline would be a super-premium full-service carrier to rival Qantas’ upcoming carrier RedQ in Asia.
A little more research into the start-up suggests that the new airline will be an executive jet service catering mainly to corporate travellers – and flying from Kuala Lumpur’s s old Subang airport.
Executive jet operator Caterham Jet Sdn Bhd, said to be owned by Tony Fernandes, his buddy Kamarudin Meranun and an American investor, will initially have about seven jets – each carrying up to 50 passengers – that will ply routes within 2-3 hours of KL.
Aviation analyst K. Ajith, speaking from Singapore, said that the whole idea of the recent MAS-AirAsia collaborative framework “was for MAS to rationalise its routes and focus on the premium segment”.
“It is also perplexing how everybody (MAS, Firefly, AirAsia, AirAsia X and the proposed Caterham Jet) can be part of a happy family, with Fernandes’ various stakes in them,” he added.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026