{
  "id": 7467314,
  "title": "The Malaysian dream that gave Asean wings — Abbi Kanthasamy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/the-malaysian-dream-that-gave-asean-wings-abbi-kanthasamy",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-15T04:01:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2026/09/15/the-malaysian-dream-that-gave-asean-wings-abbi-kanthasamy/235272"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Every great dream appears foolish before it becomes inevitable. In 2001, Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun purchased AirAsia for RM1, a company burdened with two aircraft, RM40 million in debt, and no clear purpose for survival. Tony, hailing from the music industry, was not an aviation expert. At that time, the world was grappling with the aftermath of September 11, airlines were retreating, investors were fearful, and the sensible course of action would have been to abandon the venture. The skeptics were present from the onset, dismissing the idea of a low-cost airline in Southeast Asia as improbable. They claimed that the region was too fragmented, overly regulated, and accustomed to viewing air travel as a privilege. Ordinary people, they presumed, did not form a viable aviation market. AirAsia demonstrated that ordinary people constituted the market. Its slogan, \"Now Everyone Can Fly,\" transcended mere advertising; it was a proclamation that the sky should not be reserved for the affluent, corporate travelers, or those fortunate enough to reside near major cities. The red aircraft diminished distances. A Sabahan student could pursue studies in Kuala Lumpur while returning home for Kaamatan. A young worker could seek employment in Singapore. A small trader could access Bangkok or Jakarta. Grandparents could reunite with grandchildren without depleting months of savings. Young Malaysians, previously deterred by the prospect of foreign travel, could now explore Bali, Hanoi, or Phuket. AirAsia did not invent aspiration in Southeast Asia; it provided aspiration with a boarding pass. Every flight carried more than just passengers—it carried hotel bookings, restaurant meals, taxi rides, tour guides, market traders, dive instructors, and livelihoods for small businesses. When a new route opened, a town could transform into a destination, and a destination could evolve into an economy. The International Air Transport Association estimates that aviation and aviation-related tourism contribute US$14.4 billion to Malaysia's GDP and support 659,400 jobs. Tourism supported by aviation alone amounts to US$4.7 billion and 311,700 jobs. These figures, while industry-wide, would be incomplete without acknowledging AirAsia, the airline that made affordable connectivity its life's work. Perhaps AirAsia's most profound legacy lies not in its passenger numbers but in its people. The company evolved into a workplace where one's uniform upon entry did not dictate the uniform in which they would depart. Its careers platform proudly showcases cabin crew who ascended to captaincy, executives who became chief executives, and ramp agents who transitioned into data analysts. Senior First Officer Kugan Tangiisuran commencing his career in dispatch, passing the cadet pilot examination, and eventually securing a cockpit position is a testament to AirAsia's potential to elevate individuals. Captain Suwapich Wongwiriyawanich, who began as cabin crew and became Thailand's first female captain of an Airbus A330, exemplifies this human-centric approach. AirAsia welcomed its first female pilot in 2002. Currently, women constitute 8.3% of its flight crew, compared to a global industry average of approximately 5% to 6%. In an industry where women were once encouraged to serve coffee but rarely envisaged piloting aircraft, AirAsia played a pivotal role in reshaping perceptions of who could become a pilot. The realization of a dream hinges on its first being conceivable. Throughout its journey, AirAsia faced numerous naysayers. They must recognize the competition AirAsia created, the reduced fares it instituted, the destinations it opened, and the Malaysian brand it propagated globally. Despite the challenges, AirAsia remains a catalyst for positive change.",
  "summary": "SEPT 15 — Every great dream sounds foolish before it sounds inevitable.In 2001, Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meran...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "AirAsia's success redefined air travel in Southeast Asia, democratizing access and empowering ordinary people, small businesses, and women, with a lasting impact on Malaysia's economy and society.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}