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AirAsia Fernandez's Comments Stir Thai Tiger Feud

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Posted: 04 Nov 2010 | 11:01 am

The battle for supremacy of Thailand's skies has taken a nasty turn back of comments by AirAsia Chief Executive Tony Fernandez which have been termed 'racist' in the media.

According to an interview with Mr. Fernandez in the Bangkok Post, the first volley started with "We're Asians, not a bunch of white guys running the airline."

To read the interview CLICK

This was in reference to the new low cost venture between Thai Airways International and Tiger Airways or more pointed at the Singapore based airline. The joint venture is set to launch next year and Phuket figures prominently in its planning.

Both Tony David CEO of Tiger and Mr. Fernandez through his blog and in the press have continued to exchange barbs.

For now the fight have moved into social media circles over which airline is better, though expect fireworks not seen in inter-airline rivalry since the famed Richard Branson Virgin - British Airways debacle a number of years ago.

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Agree with SLB, I'd rather pay a few hundred more for TG, than being treated like cattle on Air Asia...Also I find his remarks racist.

Ian, 12 Nov 2010 | 10:09 am

The current President of TG is well-rounded, proven, business man. Perhaps his choice of Tiger as partner is questionable to us. But we do not know the insides of the deal.....

As for a bunch a white guys running an airline, well perhaps Fenandez better go and meet the inner circle running Emirates or Qatar or Cathay and he can see that they have done okay in their chosen field? At least they don't make their money 'raping' their customers for excess fees for 1 or 2 kg of extra weight or selling crappy merchandise.....

Or maybe he can just take jet travel back to the 70's by not using aero-bridges, and merely offer the 'privilege' to fly..

Wake up Tony!

SLB, 05 Nov 2010 | 12:45 am

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