AK's Tony F travel discounts on MH withdrawn.

[Mushrif A 3]

Tony Fernandes's Travel Privilege On Malaysia Airlines Withdrawn

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airlines has withdrawn the massive discount given to Air Asia's Group Chief Executive Datuk Tony Fernandes over the last two years, citing pressure from its workers' union which was dissatisfied with the special privilege given, as a reason.

 

Its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala said the airline had received many letters of protest from employees about the travel privilege in the wake of Fernandes's negative statements about the national carrier.

 

"We have provided the travel privilege out of goodwill since 2006 in response to Tony's request for interline facility for his own travel on our international routes although Air Asia does not have an interline agreement with Malaysia Airlines," he said.

 

According to industry practice, only airlines with interlining agreement will consider granting such travel privileges for airline employees.

 

"Ever since then, we have received numerous staff complaints as to why the privilege was given. We tried our best to fend off all the criticisms.

 

"However, recently, we have again received a lot of letters of protest from many staff about his travel privilege, in the wake of his various negative statements about Malaysia Airlines.

 

"Many of our staff feel extremely hurt and frustrated with what they read in the news. The sense of unhappiness among our staff is growing and the pressure from the union is mounting by the day," he said.

 

Idris added that based on the collective views and requests from various parties within the company, the management had decided that the withdrawal of privilege, effective June 1, 2008 was the best course of action.

 

-- BERNAMA

 

 

[Azuan Zahdi 2]

From MAlaysiaKini

 

MAS withdraws AirAsia boss' travel privileges

Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Jun 16, 08 5:12pm

Few know that budget carrier AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes had been enjoying discounts up to 75 percent when flying on Malaysia Airlines (MAS), its bitter business rival.

MCPX

That’s not until a May 28 letter penned by MAS chief Idris Jala was leaked to Malaysiakini.

 

According to the letter, which was addressed to Fernandes, the AirAsia chief executive officer had been enjoying steep discounts when flying MAS over the past two years.

 

Idris nevertheless brought bad news for the AirAsia boss in the letter - his travel privileges had been withdrawn beginning this month.

 

The reason for the termination, said the MAS CEO, was the many salvos Fernandes has been firing at the national carrier which had angered its staff members.

 

Idris stated in the letter that his company had tried to fend off the complaints from its staff through their powerful unions on why Fernandes, who had criticised MAS on numerous occasions, was granted such a privilege.

 

“We have received a lot of letters of protest from many MAS staff regarding your traveling privilege in the wake of your negative statements about MAS.

 

“Many of our staff feel extremely hurt and frustrated with what they read in the news. The sense of unhappiness among our staff is growing and the pressure from the unions is mounting by the day,” wrote Idris.

 

“Left with no choice, the management team decided it would be best to withdraw your traveling privilege with immediate effect beginning June 1, 2008.”

 

Idris apologised for conveying the “unfortunate management decision” to Fernandes but said that it was “the best course of action for now in view of the general sentiment among MAS staff”.

 

It is learned that Fernandes had written to MAS in 2006 requesting for discounts on MAS’ international flights.

 

Subsequently, MAS responded in a letter date Jan 24, 2006 that Fernandes would be provided with the following privileges:

 

 

First/Business class - 50 percent discount

Economy class - 75 percent discount

It is unknown whether Fernandes had utilised the travel privileges.

 

Bitter feud between MAS, AirAsia

 

Fernandes and MAS have been at logger heads over several issues in the past, one of which is the demand from AirAsia for a more “level-playing field”.

 

The rivalry reached its peak when MAS on May 14 announced that it would give away a portion of its seats to 20 Asian destinations prompting criticism from Fernandes as the government subsidises some of the national carrier's international flights.

 

Both MAS and AirAsia had earlier made similar ‘basement fares’ offers for domestic flights even as soaring oil prices and a slowing global economy are squeezing the aviation industry.

 

AirAsia also seeks equal rights to fly the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route - one of the region's most lucrative - which has been monopolised by MAS and Singapore Airlines.

 

The bitter competition between MAS and AirAsia eventually prompted Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat to step in to help resolve the feud.

 

Fernandes: Letter 'kind of tacky'

 

Fernandes, who contacted Malaysiakini this evening, described the letter from Idris as “kind of tacky”.

 

“I don’t think the unions or MAS staff have anything personal against me. It’s just a corporate war,” said Fernandes, adding he was surprised to receive the letter.

 

The AirAsia CEO also said that when MAS ventured into the budget flight market last year with no-frills Firefly, he did not complain.

 

“It’s competition and I understand that. All I’m asking for is a level-playing field and nothing more,” stressed Fernandes.

 

Idris could not be contacted for comments but the MAS CEO’s private assistant confirmed that her boss did write the letter.

 

Any publicity is good publicity...

[M. Sofian H. 0]

laaa i think Tony never fly with MH before this.

[Mohd Saat 0]

laaa i think Tony never fly with MH before this.

 

And you are his PA that made his travel arrangements?

 

[mohd sukri abd hamid 0]

all tony fernandes master plan hehe..buat kecoh lagi with mh....

[M. Sofian H. 0]

And you are his PA that made his travel arrangements?

hehehehe

[Rozhan 0]

Whatever happened to Malaysian hospitality?

[mohd sukri abd hamid 0]

nothing happen with malaysia hospitality..that the game plan from tony fernandes

[Gavin Andrew David 6]

Give him privelege , he wants to make noise , deal with it and fly his own bus express loh .. One class fits all .. Enjoy

[Nik H. 3]

Man who is amongst Malaysia's richest gripes over withdrawal of travel discount..........

[Teoh Z Yao 0]

TF appears to only know how to devour of others without appreciation... Whether he traveled with MH or not but he was granted such a privilege for a rival...

[BC Tam 2]

What is the fuss ? I think Datuk TF should be quite at liberty to grab the "eveyday low fare" offers instead

Never mind lah, as long as this doesn't feed the whining process

 

No travel discount on competitor's planes, so playing field goes even more un-level - how to fly cheaply to destinations I don't operate into now but would like to do so and undercut you in principle ?

So, to level the playing field, gahmen should be obligated to furnish (free) private jet transport (BBJ, ACJ, Global Ex - doesn't matter which)

[TK 0]

personal...yes.

[Nik H. 3]

personal...yes.

 

Overheard not too long ago " We are not scared of Dinosaurs, Animals and Insects"

 

[Chan CS 0]

We should start writing to MH asking for the discount! I'm really interested on what was his point of getting these privileges. It's interesting!

 

Why MH granted him in the first place?

 

We can see how shameless a person can be, always blame other for not being "fair". Are you fair enough?

[Azri M. 0]

From the star

 

<h1 id="story_title"></h1>

<h1 id="story_title">MAS terminates travel privileges for AirAsia CEO</h1> <h2 id="story_byline">By LISA GOH</h2>

Datuk Seri Idris Jala PETALING JAYA: The war of words between AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines seems to have moved to a personal level with the latter terminating discount benefits for the former's group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes.

 

In a letter dated May 28, MAS managing director Datuk Seri Idris Jala said the MAS management team had decided it was “best to withdraw” Fernandes' travel privileges following protest letters from many MAS staff.

 

“I thought I should let you know that there have been numerous complaints from MAS staffers questioning the special privileges granted to you since 2006.

 

Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes “Many of them feel hurt and frustrated with what they read in the news ... in the wake of your various negative statements about Malaysia Airlines,” he said in the letter.

 

Fernandes said he had been enjoying 50% discounts for first/business class and 75% for economy class. He said he never used the 75% discount as it was only for domestic routes which he flew on AirAsia.

 

When contacted, Fernandes said he felt surprised when he received the letter “about three weeks ago”.

 

He explained that discounted or free seats were a courtesy offered to fellow airline chief executive officers and this was practised even between the “bitterest of enemies”.

 

“We also offer free seats to Idris, but he’s never taken up the offer,” he said. That offer to Idris, he said, would not be withdrawn.

 

Asked if he was offended by MAS’ withdrawal, he replied: “No, just a little disappointed.”

 

“I never complained when MAS launched its free fares promotion. It is nothing personal and I will continue to ask for a level playing field.”

 

“I'd like to say that MAS has the best crew and I've always been treated warmly by MAS staff. They have always paid me utmost compliments on what we’ve done with AirAsia.

 

“I’ve always preferred to fly with MAS but I guess all good things must come to an end,” he said.

 

He said he received 75% discounts from Cathay Pacific and Qantas Airlines, and flew free with Virgin Airlines.

 

MAS confirmed this move.

 

“We've provided the travel privilege out of goodwill since 2006 in response to Tony’s request for interline facility for his own travel on our international routes although AirAsia does not have an interline agreement with Malaysia Airlines,” Idris said.

 

The statement added that according to industry practice, “only airlines with interlining agreements will consider granting such travel privileges for airline employees”.

 

There you go.. I never know ppl give discounts to airline CEOs. Maybe I should become an airline CEO as well.heheh

[Mohd Saat 0]

From the star

 

<h1 id="story_title"></h1>

 

There you go.. I never know ppl give discounts to airline CEOs. Maybe I should become an airline CEO as well.heheh

 

Of an airline called Imaginaire - Stuff dreams are made off. Fly to destinations in your dreams.

 

[KK Lee 5]

 

 

It is not unusual for airline boss or executives to travel on rival airlines (e.g. Richard Branson on BA) and most airlines do offer special (interline) fare to industrial colleagues.

 

Believe the war between AK and MH is getting personal for IJ to remove TF privileges personally.

 

May be MH could have capitalise on TF use of MH service by advertising ‘The preferred airline of OTHER airline boss’, ‘The OTHER airline boss choose MH, why don’t you?’, ‘LCC means for cattle not boss (even LCC)’, etc.

 

 

[Yusoff 1]

Whatever happened to Malaysian hospitality?

Unbeknownst to others, the widely anticipated "Malaysian Hospitality" could turn to become Malaysian Hostility to those under the range of 'unforeseen circumstances', ie: TF...

[Robert 0]

laaa i think Tony never fly with MH before this.

 

Last year he was on an evening MH SIN-KUL flight in Y class. Very easy to spot with his red AK hat on.

[M. Sofian H. 0]

Last year he was on an evening MH SIN-KUL flight in Y class. Very easy to spot with his red AK hat on.

 

Maybe Tony tired to walk from terminal to the airplane hahahaha

with MH Tony can use airbridge hahahahahaha!

[Mohd Hazman 0]

mas shouldn't do that...even AK doesn't withdraw the previlege to MAS's CEO,Idris..

[Mushrif A 3]

mas shouldn't do that...even AK doesn't withdraw the previlege to MAS's CEO,Idris..

 

Based on the revelations made public, TF asked for the discounts and offered freebies to IJ in exchange. IJ didn't ask for it nor did he initiate the request.

 

But overall - I think it is quite trivial and more symbolic of the never ending tussle.

 

So, do we now expect MH to show a sharp rise in 2Q-2008 earnings - its traditionally weakest financial quarter - now that TF has to pay full market fares?

 

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

Hopefully. But Dato Seri TF said 'but good things must come to an end'. Maybe that indirectly means, 'Thank you MH for withdrawing the priviledge from me. I may just fly with CX and QF much more often from now on'. Hey, HKG and SIN are great airports to transit to.

 

(An OT question, why all good things must come to an end? Why can't they last forever?)

[Ashmil Abd Ghani 0]

HiiiDDUUUUpppppp MAS...fly with TF onboard don't give any revenue...buang karan je...huhuhuhu

 

HiiiDDUUUUpppppp MAS...fly with TF onboard don't give any revenue...buang karan je...huhuhuhu