AirAsia gifts free flights to Asean Paralympic Medallists
AirAsia gifts free flights to Asean Paralympic Medallists
AirAsia on Thursday gave away free flights to Asean Paralympic medallists at a gala event held at the Asian Aviation Centre of Excellence in Selangor, Malaysia.
Gold medal winners received a lifetime of free flights, while silver and bronze medal winners received five and three years' worth of free flights respectively.
Medallists were given a special AirAsia BIG card in gold, silver and bronze that allows them to fly to any of the more than 120 destinations within AirAsia and AirAsia X's extensive network in Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.
In attendance were AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes, AirAsia X Group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, AirAsia Berhad CEO Aireen Omar, AirAsia X Berhad CEO Benyamin Ismail and other AirAsia country CEOs as well as government and sporting officials from Asean.
Once again, Asean athletes have made the region proud by showing we can be a serious contender on the world stage, and it is my great pleasure to present these fine sportsmen and sportswomen with free flights in recognition of their amazing achievements, said AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes.
These para-athletes prove that there is no limit to the human spirit, no obstacle to achieving our dreams that we cannot overcome with focus, determination and hard work. They are an inspiration to the region and to the world, he said.
I am thrilled with Malaysia's amazing performance. Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi won our first ever Paralympics gold medal, Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli demolished a world record to secure the second and Abdul Latif Romly broke the world record three times for the third. They've really raised the bar for our athletes and para-athletes in Tokyo 2020, AirAsia Berhad CEO Aireen Omar said.
The Thai para-athletes performed superbly in Rio by bagging the most medals of any Asean country. Hats off to them, especially the athletics and boccia teams who led the charge. As an AirAsia affiliate with close ties to Indochina, I also wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Le Van Cong for winning Vietnam's first ever Paralympics gold medal and breaking the world record for powerlifting, said AirAsia Thailand CEO Tassapon Bijleveld.
Ni Nengah Widiasih's medal shows how far para-athlete development has progressed in Indonesia in recent years. In London 2012, we won our first medal in over two decades and this year we secured another - it's just a matter of time before Indonesia returns to gold, AirAsia Indonesia CEO Dendy Kurniawan said.
I am tremendously proud of paddler Josephine Medina for ending the Philippines' 16-year medal drought at the Paralymp ics, equalling Hidilyn Diaz's achievement just a month earlier. This has been a good Games for the Philippines, and I believe this is just the beginning of greater successes to come, said AirAsia Philippines CEO Captain Dexter Comendador.
AirAsia is Asia's leading and largest low-cost carrier by passengers carried and jet fleet , with an extensive network of more than 120 destinations in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Middle East and Africa. It is also the only airline to fly direct to all 10 Asean countries, including some 60 unique routes in the region.
AirAsia was named World's Best Low-Cost Airline for the eighth year in a row and AirAsia X won the World's Best Low-Cost Premium Cabin and Premium Seat for the fourth straig ht year at 2016 Skytrax World Airline Awards in Farnborough, UK.
