Air Asia Travel

AirAsia, Expedia ties to power travel revolution in Asia

Published on: Wednesday, March 30, 2011

SINGAPORE: AirAsia and Expedia, Inc., have officially launched a new joint venture covering the Asia Pacific and offering a complete range of great value flights, hotels and holiday packages.

AirAsia is the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia and Expedia, Inc., the world's largest online travel company.

This is the first partnership of its kind globally between a low cost carrier (LCC) and an online travel agent (OTA).

Speaking to reporters after the launch here, group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said the equal partnership between two global brands and leaders in the travel industry, comes at a time when online travel bookings are exploding in the region.

He said Asia, and its booming economy, offers a huge opportunity to develop a set of loved consumer brands.

Under the joint venture agreement, a new company will be formed to operate Expedia, Inc.'s Expedia branded businesses in Japan, India, Southeast Asia and other East Asian markets, as well as AirAsia's, AirAsiaGo and GoRooms ventures.

The new undertaking will build on AirAsia's unique local marketing expertise, along with Expedia's world leading technology, and both companies' quality travel products in the region and beyond.

It will have the exclusive online third-party distribution rights in the region for AirAsia and AirAsiaX flights and travel packages meaning, with few exceptions in the region, the only place to find and book AirAsia flights online will be AirAsia.com, AirAsiaGo.com and Expedia.

Barry Diller, Chairman and Senior Executive, Expedia, Inc., said: "By partnering with AirAsia, Expedia is taking an important step in developing our global position.

"This is particularly exciting, given Asia's influence in the online travel marketplace."

To celebrate the union, www.AirAsiaGo.com will be offering hotel discounts of up to 80 per cent in 10 Asian cities, for three days beginning Tuesday.

Expedia will be launching its new Malaysian site www.expedia.com.my and Thai site www.expedia.co.th, with a two-week sale period, offering discounts of up to 60 per cent on South-East Asian destinations.

Sources: Daily Express News paper

Story Arrangement By: Global News Media

Picture: Airasia.com