AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes says he’s building the region’s next ‘super app’

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — For AirAsia founder Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, there’s a silver lining to the Covid-19 pandemic.

As his budget carrier copes with the coronavirus downturn, Fernandes told BBC in an interview recently that he and his team are working on what he hopes will be the region’s next “super app”.

Details about the application are scant, but the AirAsia founder told the British news channel that he wants it to rival the likes of Grab, GoJek and WeChat with an all-in-one platform for food delivery, shopping, payments, entertainment and travel.

“The downturn was a blessing in disguise in some ways as it allowed us to focus more on it,” Fernandes was quoted as saying.

“Running an airline takes up a lot of our time but we have been given the opportunity and time to focus on our digital business.”

With a database of over 60 million customers, Asia’s biggest budget carrier already has a good starting point.

BBC reported that the AirAsia app, which will offer users a messaging service, has set its sights on multi-services super apps like Singapore-based Grab, Indonesia’s GoJek and China’s Meituan.

“AirAsia has always been a digital company. We were one of the first airlines to sell online. It’s in our bloodstream,” said Fernandes, also a major shareholder of English football club Queen’s Park Rangers (QPR).

“I know a super app sounds like a lofty target but Grab and GoJek also started out small as food or mobility apps. Plus people also questioned me the same way when I said I wanted to start AirAsia.”

The airline industry has been among sectors hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

AirAsia Group Bhd in July reported a net loss of RM803.85 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020, compared with a net profit of RM96.09 million in the same period last year.

But despite the significant challenges in the airline industry, the group reported breakeven earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (RM29,000).

AirAsia attributed the results to its proactive capacity and cost management, alongside strong performances from the non-airline businesses.

Last year, the company launched its own record label called RedRecords in partnership with Universal Music.

The fledgling label said it wants to discover and promote stars from South-east Asia who will appeal to a Western audience.

The first major signing, Thai pop star Jannine Weigel, has already built up millions of followers across social media.

“Boy, have we got something special with the record label,” Fernandes said.

“The Koreans have shown how Asian music can appeal to a global audience with K-pop and there is huge potential for South-east Asia.”