Bangkok--9 Oct--AirAsia In line with plans to set a new benchmark for airline efficiency, reliability and quality with an all Airbus A320 fleet, AirAsia, the leading and largest leading low cost carrier in Asia, held a ceremony today to mark the retirement of its final Boeing 737-300 aircraft on its Malaysian operations. “The B737 had been in service in AirAsia for the past six years and its retirement marks the dawn of a new millennium for AirAsia as we now fully operate on an all Airbus 320 fleet for our Malaysian operations. We have witnessed the metamorphosis of AirAsia from a caterpillar to a butterfly. AirAsia has grown from a fleet of two Boeing 737s to the first 5-Star low cost carrier that has made a mark for itself in the region. AirAsia is now proud to have the youngest, all brand new fleet in Asia” “Besides our brand new fleet and superior leather seats, AirAsia’s great cabin crew and ground staff, vast array of food selections, largest number of destinations, highest flight frequencies, unmatched On Time Guarantee plus the 5 Star smile allows us to challenge the very best of premium airlines,” said AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes In December 2007, AirAsia became the largest airline customer in the world of the Airbus A320, after placing an order for a total of 225 aircraft. Since then, the airline has gradually phased out its original fleet of Boeing 737s to make way for the new, more fuel efficient, Airbus A320. Reputed for its high reliability and low operating costs, the Airbus A320 has already enhanced AirAsia’s efficiency levels and has been crucial in improving the airline’s on time performance. AirAsia’s last remaining Boeing 737 made its final flight before it is retired from the fleet, from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, arriving at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal today at 9.55 am. Passengers were greeted by Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes for the aircraft’s decommissioning ceremony. Speaking at the farewell ceremony, Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes said, “We would never forget Boeing’s contribution to us since the very beginning. AirAsia as the airline that you know today started off with two Boeing 737s which had rendered us a wonderful service, without which we would not have got to where we are today.” “This is a significant day for AirAsia as it reinforces our position as leaders in the Asia-Pacific aviation industry. Replacing the Boeing 737 for the more fuel efficient Airbus A320 is an important step for AirAsia’s ongoing efforts to minimise its carbon footprint. In addition, the savings we make on fuel consumption are passed on as low fares to our customers, testament to AirAsia’s commitment to making air travel accessible and affordable to all,” he added. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 family offers the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. In addition, the latest new cabin design saves on weight and offers passengers a quieter and roomier experience as well as significantly larger overhead storage lockers. AirAsia has a firm commitment with a purchase order for 225 Airbus A320 aircraft (175 firm + 50 options), thus securing the carrier’s growth pipeline up till 2004. AirAsia currently operates a total of 50 Airbus A320 aircraft — 42 in Malaysia, 7 in Thailand and 1 in Indonesia. Its existing 8 B737s in Thailand and another 10 in Indonesia are also being replaced gradually with A320s. AirAsia Corporate Communications Team: Hamdan Mohamad Office No : +603 8660 4265 HP : +6012 341 4164 Email : [email protected] Nazatul Ekma Mokhtar Office No : +603 8660 4013 HP : +6012 616 5493 Email : [email protected] June Chow Office No : +603 8660 4287 HP : +6012 388 0619 Email : [email protected] AirAsia AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network in South East Asia with over 105 routes. Within the grasp of six years of operation, AirAsia has carried over 50 million passengers and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to 72. The airline today is proud to be a truly ASEAN airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across 11 ASEAN countries. AirAsia was recognised as one of the Top 50 Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company Magazine, the winner of the prestigious Airline Strategy Award 2008 in the Finance Category and voted as the Best Budget Airline in Asia by SmartTravelAsia.com for 3 consecutive years since 2006. For more information, please log onto www.airasia.com