Speech by His Excellency Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal
Ambassador of Malaysia to France
AirAsia X Paris Open Sale Announcement
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Dato’ Seri Tony Fernandes
CEO of Group AirAsia
Mr. Azran Osman-Rani
CEO of AirAsia X
Mr. Frank Goldnado
Director of Paris-Orly Airport
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning and Bonjour,
First of all, allow me to thank AirAsia X for inviting me to participate at this auspicious occasion, the AirAsia X Paris Open Sale Announcement. It is indeed a pleasure and honour for me to be a part of this significant event.
I would like at the outset to congratulate AirAsia X and to everyone who has been instrumental in ensuring the realization of the carrier’s ambition to begin direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Paris. While it has taken some time to materialize into its final shape today, I am pleased that we have not finally arrived at this happy event but also a historical moment.
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with AirAsia, I am proud to tell you that the success of AirAsia is indeed remarkable. From humble beginnings - when the company was bought over for the princely sum of RM1 in 2001, AirAsia has grown from strength to strength, to morph into Asia’s largest low-cost airline. This meteoric rise is a reflection of the ingenuity, excellent entrepreneurial skills and boldness of the leadership within AirAsia, all attributes closely associated with the company. Much of it can be accredited to its leader and founder Dato’ Seri Tony Fernandes. Since then, AirAsia has won numerous prestigious awards, most recently the World’s Best Low Cost Airline for two consecutive years, i.e. in 2009 and 2010, which is testament to the excellent service it provides its customers.
The launching of AirAsia X flights to Kuala Lumpur from Paris will undoubtedly create huge opportunities for both Malaysia and France. The most immediate benefit would be the enhancement of people-to-people contacts between the two peoples at various levels, be it the business community, tourists and students.
To the business community in France, may I urge you to explore the various business and investment opportunities which Malaysia has to offer. It is indeed exciting times to be in Malaysia as we are currently in the midst of transforming our economy, liberalizing the services and financial sectors as well as implementing various projects under the 10th Malaysia Plan to propel Malaysia into becoming a high-income nation. The potential is limitless and the opportunities there for the asking.
For the discerning tourists among you, who have long desired to experience the exotic scenes and flavours of Malaysia and Southeast Asia, AirAsia X offers you the world. Come explore for yourselves all that Malaysia has to offer, from coral islands and soft sandy beaches of the Tioman Islands to the World Heritage Mulu Caves; from the historic wonders of Penang and Malacca to the gastronomic delights to be savoured throughout the country. Witness, too, the unique multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious, harmonious society of Malaysia which makes Malaysia Truly Asia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are equally delighted that AirAsia X flights would also make Paris specifically and France generally more accessible to a larger segment of the Malaysian and Southeast Asian populations. It offers ample opportunity for Asians to enjoy the splendor, history and culture of France, including all the elements which have culminated in making France the number one tourist destination in the world.
Lastly, it would be remiss of me not to highlight the excellent cooperation extended by the Government of France in ensuring the success of this venture. AirAsia X’s presence in France was decided no less than by President Sarkozy and Prime Minister Najib themselves, who showed tremendous vision in ensuring that connectivity between the two countries are brought to new levels. This significant event will indeed strengthen and further the bilateral relations of Malaysia and France.
I wish you every success, and may you bring our worlds closer together.
Thank you.
