UPDATE DR M CALLS FOR AIRASIA FLIGHTS TO AFRICA, TONY SAYS YES

UPDATE
DR M CALLS FOR AIRASIA FLIGHTS TO AFRICA, TONY SAYS YES
By M. Saraswathi

PUTRAJAYA, June 18 (Bernama) – Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad
has suggested that low-cost airlines such as AirAsia seriously consider flying
to Africa to facilitiate travel and increase trade and investment linkages.

He said currently, the lack of such connectivity was a deterrent to
enhancing ties between Malaysia and African nations, although the continent
possessed vast economic potential that remained largely untapped.

"Due to the lack of connectivity, Africans coming to Malaysia for business
purposes have to fly to Paris, for example, before coming down to Malaysia. That
is a deterrent."

In an immediate response to Dr Mahathir's call at the Malaysia-Africa
Business Forum (MABF) Saturday, AirAsia Chief Tony Fernandes told Bernama
that this was possible.

"Azran (Osman Rani, Airasia X's Chief Eexecutive) and the team are looking
at Egypt and also Luanda (Angola) and Nairobi (Kenya)," he said via SMS.

Dr Mahathir also suggested that some African airlines tie-up with AirAsia,
similar to arrangements the low-cost carrier had in Indonesia and Thailand.

With the "Now Everyone Can Fly" slogan, AirAsia could bring Malaysia and
African nations closer, he said during his keynote address entitled "Exploring
New Dimensions," at the MABF, which is being held in conjunction with the Ninth
Langkawi International Dialogue 2011 here.

As the fastest growing low-cost carrier in the world, AirAsia was in the
position to do so, he said.

"He (Tony) is a remarkable man. Perhaps we should have him as a consultant.
Perhaps we should pursuade him to fly into Africa," he said, adding that he
would discuss this with Tony.

"I am amazed at AsiaAsia. They give one million free seats. So, they must be
making some money somewhere else. Just imagine him giving one million free seats
to Africa and (vice versa)," he quipped.

He said the routes may not be profitable in the initial stage but eventually
they would be.

"We should be prepared to accept losses initially, so that in time we would
be able to build up facilities for travelling, which would enable more
Malaysians to go to African countries and Africans can come to Malaysia."

Dr Mahathir also highlighted the role of low-cost hotels in revving up
tourism and business activities.

"Imagine Tune Hotels in Tanzania and Kenya where there are so many things to
see," he said, alluding to the hotel chain under the AirAsia Group.

Franchising, he said has been the fastest way to expand businesses but has
not been exploited very well between Malaysia and the African nations.

He cited South Africa's Nando's restaurant as one of the successful
franchises in Malaysia.

Establishing personal relationship was also important to enhance bilateral
relations, he said, adding that it would enable the people to interact well and
understand each others' business culture.

He said one way to do that was via exchange programmes among civil
servants between Kuala Lumpur and African nations.

Those involved in the exchange programme can then relate to business people
what to expect when they want to do business with African nations.

"Knowing how to do business is extremely important, but to enable all this,
connectivity is crucial, he stressed.

-- BERNAMA