Capital A Group CEO Tony Fernandes discusses business outlook and important updates across the industry during roundtable interview at AirAsia PH in NAIA
Capital A Group CEO Tony Fernandes has expressed satisfaction over the high on-time performance (OTP) of AirAsia Philippines for its domestic and international flights.
"I was impressed, I really was, my flight took off on time, landed on time, there was no you know - in the past, we could be circling around for a long time before we land, but it wasn't, and I got to say, give credit when credit is due," Fernandes said during amedia roundtable at the carrier's RedPoint headquarters at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
He said that the airline's OTP is 86 percent, "and that has a lot to do with the airport," adding, that NAIA management must be given credit because the airport, he said, is much better rundespite the recent brownouts and power failures.
The CEO personally visited RedPoint to give updates on the future of AirAsia Philippines, the business outlook for 2023 as well as discuss the carrier's ownership.
Philippines AirAsia is a joint venture between Capital A (formerly known as AirAsia Group) subsidiary AirAsia Investment Limited which has a 40-percent stake in the airline and the Romero family-owned F&S Holdings which holds the remaining 60 percent.
Reports had said that F&S Holdings sold its majority 60 percent stake in AirAsia Philippines to Asian aviation company AA Com Travel Philippines Inc.
"Ownership will be solved, it's important for the airline, but we'll make the proper announcement in the proper time. I've stuck to the script, all you will get from me is honesty and transparency. And it's not just about the good things, right? The good things are that we are alive, we saved everyone's job, we're going to recruit," Fernandes said.
Fernandes said the airline for a time had struggled to bring tourists back to the Philippines amid the Covid-19 pandemic. But now, he said, that they were determined to help tourism get back on its feet.
Asked about his view on privately runor government-operated airport, he saidhe wasobviously a big fan of privatization but with control.
He warned that giving a private operator absolute control would be contrary to sound business principles. There should be a balance, he added.
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