SEPANG: AirAsia boss Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has lauded Malaysia Airlines Bhd for emerging as a stronger company and being on the right track to turn around by 2018, but warned that this could also be its last chance to survive.
Contrary to public perception, the charismatic tycoon said he had always wanted a stronger Malaysia Airlines as it meant that the national carrier would not be subsidised by the government.
He said Malaysia Airlines finally had a chance to be run properly by the right management team.
“I think they are finally doing the right thing. I praised them the other day for their business class seat that was very good. I think they have cut capacity in the right places.
“The tie-up with Emirates makes sense. So, they are doing all the things that actually I wanted to do when we (AirAsia) owned it for a short period. But it was shot down by politicians and unions,” the 52-year-old Fernandes told the New Straits Times.
AirAsia and the then Malaysia Airlines Systems Bhd (MAS) had agreed on a collaboration that led to a share swap deal. Under the deal, Tune Air Sdn Bhd would hold 20.5 per cent stake in MAS and two board seats, while MAS’ largest shareholder, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, would hold a 10 per cent stake in AirAsia.
Tune Air is controlled by Fernandes and his long-time business partner as well as AirAsia co-founder, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun. The pact, which was announced on August 2011, was unbundled in May 2012 due to heavy pressure from MAS’ workers union.
In September last year, MAS was rebranded as Malaysia Airlines and a new CEO, Christoph Mueller, was appointed. He had a track record of restructuring Aer Lingus and Brussels-based Sabena Air, which was then changed to Brussels Airlines.
Fernandes said this was the first time that MAB is trying to make money under Mueller’s leadership.
He also hoped that the national carrier will continue to move on with plans laid out by Mueller after he leaves in September.
The 55-year-old Mueller has resigned as CEO and managing director of MAB less than a year into his three-year contract, citing personal reasons.
Fernandes said: “I think they have to continue doing what they are doing.
“They are doing the right thing. Otherwise that airline is gone forever.”
“This is the last chance because Emirates and everyone else are getting stronger,” he said, adding that AirAsia-Malaysia Airlines ties have improved over the years.