Lower fuel price offcers more opportunities for AirAsia to improve - CEO

The decline in global crude oil price is an advantage to AirAsia as it opens more opportunities for the company to improve itself.

Chief Executive Officer Aireen Omar said the impact would strengthen the low-cost carrier's network in South-East Asia, by allowing more innovations to ensure better value to its business.

"Since we now see a reduction of about 50 per cent in oil price, this is definitely good for us to grow.

"We want to be more cost-efficient and productive to be able to offer low-fare flights to our guests," she told the media after flagging off the 'AirAsia's Great 13th Anniversary Challenge' here today.

On Friday, brent crude oil fell to below US$63 a barrel, its lowest price since July 2009 while the International Energy Agency forecast a weaker oil demand next year.

On the AirAsia's anniversary challenge, Aireen said 12 contestants who were selected through social media applications, will be seated in AirAsia's mock-up seat for 13 hours.

"They are to outdo each other in an unpredictable weather conditions and various challenges.

"Their mission is to win one year's worth of free seats to any AirAsia's destinations," she said.

Aireen said 2014 has been challenging for AirAsia and aviation industry.

"This year, we moved to a new and bigger airport that is not really facilitating our operation. We had to change the way we do things in order to maintain cost-efficiency.

"I expect 2015 to be a positive year with AirAsia having additional destinations," she said.