Introduction Today’s, AirAsia Berhad has become one of the well-known and popular name among the airlines industry. The AirAsia is a name synonymous with low fares, quality service and dependability. The company has made flying affordable for more than 50 million guests. Now, the airline company is the leading low fare airline in the Asia since it has been expanding rapidly since 2001, to become an award winning and the largest low cost carrier in Asia. With a fleet of 72 aircrafts, AirAsia flies to over 61 domestic and international destinations with 108 routes, and operates over 400 flights daily from hubs located in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. The airline company was established in 1993 and started operations on 18 November 1996. It was originally founded by a government-owned conglomerate DRB-Hicom. In 1996, the company became Malaysia’s second national carrier, and officially commenced operations as a full-service domestic airline with two aircraft. Five years after in December 2001, Tune Air acquired a 99.25% shareholding in the company from Hicom. On 2 December 2001, the heavily-indebted airline was purchased by former Time Warner executive Tony Fernandes and his partners for the token sum of one ringgit. At that time, Fernandes and his partners have set up the company Tune Air Sdn Bhd, an airline holding company then bought over AirAsia.
Since it was set up by Tony Fernandes in year 2001, the AirAsia has become the leading low-cost carrier in Southeast Asia. The group focuses on providing high-frequency services on short-haul, point-to-point domestic and international routes. AirAsia began its operations in 1996 as Malaysia’s second national carrier, but was unable to sustain profitability under a full-service airline model. In December 2001, Tune Air acquired the company with the intention of transforming it into a profitable low-cost carrier.