AirAsia flies daily direct to Guangzhou-one of China's Leading commercial and manufacturing regions

AirAsia flies daily direct to Guangzhou-one of China's Leading commercial and manufacturing regions.

Maiden Flight takes off on 16th January 2007

GUANGZHOU, 16TH JANUARY 2008 – AirAsia, the leading, largest and award-winning low-cost carrier in Asia, which recently won the coveted CAPA Airline of the Year 2007 award today officially launched its direct daily flights to Guangzhou via Baiyun International airport from the LCC Terminal, Kuala Lumpur. This will be the fourth destination to mainland China after Shenzhen, Xiamen and Macau within the group.

Since the announcement on 19 December 2007 of the new route, the RM88.88* or RMB188* low fare has made waves in both Guangzhou and Kuala Lumpur. 6,000 seats were snapped up within the first few hours even before sales advertisements were out, and a total of 25,000 seats were sold in under 3 weeks. This reveals the huge market potential in the two cities, and indicates the airline’s popularity of its low fare deals in the China market.

The launch of Guangzhou is part of AirAsia’s strategic move in responding to strong consumer demands from Southern China region for low cost travel. It is also a strategic prologue and milestone for both AirAsia and Baiyun International Airport; which is the 3rd busiest and largest international airport in China. With an approximate population of 9.5 million, Guangzhou is known as one of mainland China’s leading commercial and manufacturing regions and serves as a entryway to Pearl River Delta; an ideal gateway to more than 100 major cities in China.

Ms Kathleen Tan, Regional Head of Commercial for AirAsia, represented AirAsia at the welcome reception and press conference of AirAsia’s inaugural route launch in Baiyun International Airport today. Present at the function were Vice Secretary General of Guangzhou Municipal People's Government, Mr. Zhang Huoqing; Mr. Chen Xiao Ning, Deputy President, Guangdong Airport Management Corp.; Mr. Zhang Kejian, GM, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Co., Ltd; Mr. Ma Xin Hang, Deputy General Manager of Baiyun International Airport Ltd.; En. Roslan Abdul Rahman, Consul General of Malaysian Consulate in Guangzhou; head officers of Baiyun Airport and some 100 local and foreign media members.

A lion dance performance was the prelude to the Inaugural Ceremony, followed by ribbon cutting by the VIPs. The guests were also entertained by a Malaysian Cultural dance troupe from Sabah, adding both Malaysia and China cultural elements to the event.

Mr. Ma Xin Hang, Deputy GM, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Co., Ltd said “The Airport which is the first on the Chinese mainland is designed and built in conformity to the hub airport mode. It is now the largest, best equipped and most modernized civil air terminal in China. Serving 111 destinations at home and abroad with 152 domestic, international and regional air routes, the airport functions as a major international port of China as well as an air hub with worldwide connections. We will ensure, we will provide quality service to AirAsia.”

Ms Kathleen Tan, Regional Head of Commercial, AirAsia, said, “Our strategic move to expand into Guangzhou has been a long waited route by many Malaysians. With globalization and the rising economy in China, our low fares will now encourage the Malaysian business community to strengthen their investments in China and vice versa. With the Olympic fever building up in China for 2008, there is no better time to launch this route than today. We believe our low fares will grant more Chinese and Malaysians the freedom to fly and further compliment tourism and economic growth of both countries to greater heights.”

“We are here to deliver AirAsia’s amazing low fares to the people of China, to allow more organizations, businesses and families to realize the dream of cost effective air travel. With our low fares, AirAsia will be the bridge linking Malaysia to China and through our hub in Kuala Lumpur, serve as an entryway to the Asean network and Australia via AirAsia X. We look forward in creating a win-win solution for both ends, by expanding into the huge market of air travel in China.”

“From a short span of 6 years, the airline has help created a new level of tourism and new business opportunities with our vibrant low fares concept. We anticipate carrying 25 million guests with the 23 new A320 plane deliveries this year. AirAsia is proud and honored to serve the people in Guangzhou city. We look forward to splash the sky of Baiyun International Airport red, and enliven this legendary ‘Goat’ city.” concluded Kathleen.

The Malaysian Consul General to Guangzhou, Mr. Roslan Abdul Rahman said, “We hope the opening of this new route will accelerate tourism, attracting more visitors to our country with its diversified culture, unique heritage, wide rainforest, beautiful beaches, busy metropolitan, and an array of shopping and good food as Malaysia has some entertaining and modern cities. Malaysia has also encouraged more business investors from abroad and the economic stability in the country would definitely foster great business ties between the two countries. We believe that AirAsia will expand their network in Southern China to meet the growing demand here. AirAsia’s decision to open this new route also meets the Malaysia Government’s efforts to make Malaysia the low cost carrier hub for Asia. For further booking inquiries, guests may log on to http://www.airasia..com/.

AirAsia now operates a total of 115 weekly flights to 4 cities in China – 7x Xiamen, 28x Shenzhen, 73x Macau and 7x Guangzhou.