I’m going nowhere, says AirAsia boss
AirAsia has been quick to deny reports that CEO Tony Fernandes is preparing to quit the airline.
AirAsia said Fernandes’ statement (reported by Malaysian national news agency, Bernama) “was made only in reference to his aspiration and expectation of the quality of his successor, should he decides to retire in the future”.
“However, our group CEO does not have any plans to relinquish his leadership of the company any time ‘soon’ as suggested by the article,†said the airline spokesman.
Fernandes will be a key player in attempts by Qantas to forge a closer relationship with Malaysia Airlines and launch an ultra-premium airline in southeast Asia.
Air Asia owns 20% of Malaysia Airlines, which has unveiled a business plan to return the group back to the black by 2013.
“Malaysia Airlines needs to make hard and unpopular decisions simply to survive in order for it to then have the possibility to thrive and realise the airline’s vision,†said group chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya.
MAS plans to dump loss-making routes, add 23 new aircraft and spin off ancillary businesses.
And by the second half of 2012, MAS will launch a new regional premium airline to connect Malaysia to ASEAN destinations and key cities in South Asia and Greater China, using a fleet of Boeing 737-800s.
“We are also exploring the possibility of joint ventures with partners in order to serve multiple markets together, while reducing the financial risks of going alone,†said Ahmad Jauhari. 

One of those partners is believed to be Qantas.
by TravelMole Asia
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt