Williams confirms AirAsia Sponsorship

The AT&T Williams team today confirmed a new partnership with AirAsia, the most successful low cost carrier in South East Asia, in the run up to this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

Formed in 2001, AirAsia is one of the region’s corporate tigers and a leading ASEAN brand, operating 2,500 flights per week to 80 routes across its 52 Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 fleet to and from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, China, Macau, Singapore, Cambodia and the Philippines. AirAsia is one of the biggest operators in the region with global ambitions and is currently the largest purchaser of 150 brand new Airbus 320 across the Asia Pacific region. The phenomenal success of AirAsia and its low cost, no frills customer philosophy has seen the airline expand its horizons both throughout the Asia Pacific region and with a view to opening more international routes. The airline has formed a partnership with the AT&T Williams team to augment its sponsorship of Manchester United in order to communicate the brand to a global audience.

On confirmation of today’s agreement, AirAsia’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Tony Fernandes said, “I’m delighted that AirAsia has joined the AT&T Williams team as its official airline partner. The relationship will assist in spreading the word about our airline, which has been a great success in the Asia Pacific region, to an ever wider global audience. We are very pleased to partner such an august team with heritage as well as competitive form and we’re looking forward to a strong inaugural race here in Kula Lumpur.”

AT&T Williams Team Principal, Frank Williams said, “We are immensely proud to have AirAsia as the latest addition to our partner portfolio. From a standing start, AirAsia now carries more passengers than Singapore Airlines in a matter of five years and is a very impressive organisation with clear global ambition. We look forward to assisting this ongoing international growth and of course the team using AirAsia’s services for the significant number of races we now attend in locations served by the airline.”

AirAsia revolutionized air travel in the region to become the leading and largest low fare airline in Asia. Entering into its 5th year, AirAsia to date has an astounding fleet size of 52 aircraft, an achievement the young airline is proud to carry. AirAsia together with its associates Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia have carried over 30 million passengers. The airline’s extensive network presently serves over 80 domestic and international routes to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China (Xiamen & Macau), Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmmar and the Philippines.

In 2006, AirAsia added 15 aircraft to its fleet, seven of which are the brand new Airbus A320 aircraft. The aircraft proves to be a winning choice as AirAsia guests enjoy bigger seating capacity, wider aisle, greater comfort and quieter ride. Airbus A320 is reputed for being the most modern and sophisticated aircraft of its class, with high reliability and low operating costs. With 17 Airbus A320 in hand now, AirAsia looks forward to 133 more to add to its fleet, making it the largest, youngest and most modern fleet in the region.