AirAsia Group Launches Digital Platform to Diversify Business Amid Covid-19 | Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, September 24 – Malaysia-based AirAsia Group today introduced a new app called AirAsia Digital to connect its growing business with customers.

AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the “super app” is an all-in-one platform covering cashless payments, food delivery, shopping, entertainment and travel and he hopes it will promote the conglomerate as more than just an airline.

“In the next few years, people would recognize us for selling airline tickets,” he said in a briefing here.

Fernandes explained that AirAsia’s push for a “super app” started in 2018, but had now accelerated due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The platform is also destined to be another source of revenue for AirAsia Group after its aviation segment was affected by the economic impact of Covid-19, it added.

“We always had the idea that we did not want a single source of airline revenue and you see that digital companies have benefited from Covid-19 while airlines like ours have suffered dramatically,” he said.

The platforms in question include the AirAsia website along with its mobile app that will bring all of your digital initiatives under one roof.

In addition to flight reservations, other features of the app include AirAsia’s logistics service, Teleport; its rewards program, BIGLIFE; virtual bank and future market, BigPay; as well as its food and beverage franchise, Santan, among others.

Fernandes explained that it has always been the company’s goal to develop a super app for Southeast Asia, adding that it will complement other established regional apps like Grab and Gojek rather than act as a direct competitor.

He went on to say that the platform will not be limited to AirAsia Group applications or initiatives and will be open to other applications as long as they offer great added value to customers.

The super app launch is scheduled for October 8 and more details will be provided closer to the date.