BUSINESSMAN Tony Fernandes has given all Asean athletes who won a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil “free flights for life” via AirAsia.
He said the company will give Southeast Asian athletes who won silver and bronze medals free flights for five and two years, respectively.
Filipino weightlifting Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, who won silver medal in the 53-kilogram class of the weightlifting event of the 2016 Olympics, will receive free AirAsia flights for five years.
Diaz and other eligible athletes will be able to fly to any of the more than 120 destinations within AirAsia and AirAsia X’s extensive network in Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. “I was blown away by the performances from Asean athletes,” Fernandes said. “They proved we can achieve anything as long as we believe in ourselves and work tirelessly toward our dream. At AirAsia, too, we want to be the best by emulating the best, and these athletes have taught us we should never stop trying to be better. This is the least we could do for them.”
He said his company decided to provide free flights for the athletes to encourage future Southeast Asian Olympians.
“Asean athletes in Rio have shown they cannot only compete, but excel in top-level competitions. We hope this will encourage others in the region to follow in their footsteps, and I look forward to seeing more medals from Asean in future Games,” Fernandes said.
AirAsia is Asia’s largest low-cost carrier by passengers carried and jet fleet, with unmatched frequencies. It is also the only airline to fly direct to all 10 Asean countries, including some 60 unique routes in the region.