AirAsia-MU deal pays off<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur<\/p>\n
AirAsia, Southeast Asia's pioneering low-cost carrier, said on
\nWednesday its recent sponsorship deal with Manchester United is
\nalready proving its worth in attracting business.<\/p>\n
\"Its already paying off. The trend is there. We are now seeing
\ncustomers from Europe who have changed their holiday plans to
\ncome to Malaysia instead,\" Kamarudin Meranun, executive director
\nwith AirAsia, told AFP.<\/p>\n
AirAsia signed its one-year, low-fare carrier sponsorship deal
\nwith Sir Alex Ferguson's team in July in Hong Kong during the Red
\nDevils' Asian Tour.<\/p>\n
Kamarudin declined to reveal the cost of the deal which comes
\nwith an additional one-year option but said it was a \"win-win
\nagreement\" for both AirAsia and Manchester United.<\/p>\n
\"The sponsorship deal gives AirAsia greater visibility in the
\nglobal market. United's games are beamed all over the world,
\nincluding to destinations that we fly and plan to fly like China.<\/p>\n
\"So when a game is played at Old Trafford, AirAsia's logo and
\nname will be on the electronic (advertising) board and shown
\nacross the world to millions of people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The agreement, among other things, allows AirAsia to paint its
\naircraft in the colors of the world's best supported team and
\nsell United's merchandise on its flights.<\/p>\n
\"It is a partnership to build awareness and encourage
\npotential tourists from Europe to (come to) Asia and fly
\nAirAsia,\" Kamarudin said, adding: \"We are confident it will
\nbolster our bottomline.\"<\/p>\n
Kamarudin said AirAsia is also seeking an alliance with an
\ninternational carrier, possibly Malaysian Airlines, to fly in
\nEuropean tourists.<\/p>\n
\"(These) passengers can then use AirAsia to fly local and
\nregional routes. We hope we can work with national carrier
\nMalaysia Airlines,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year the possibility of such a tie-up with
\nMalaysia Airlines was raised by both government and company
\nofficials in the face of soaring fuel bills.<\/p>\n
AirAsia was the first regional low-cost carrier. Starting from
\nhumble beginnings it now operates a fleet of 30 Boeing 737-300s
\nand flies to 52 destinations in Malaysia and six internationally.
\nIt plans new routes to Brunei, Cambodia, China and Vietnam in the
\nnear future.<\/p>\n
In the financial year to June, AirAsia carried 4.4 million
\npassengers, up 55 percent. It recently ordered 100 Airbus A320
\naircraft which will completely replace its current fleet of
\nBoeing aircraft.<\/p>",
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