AirAsia, the world’s best low-cost airline, is unveiling its state-of-the-art booking system on July 11, pulling ahead of competitors in offering hi-tech user-friendly booking features.

The new system will be available starting 5 p.m. on July 11. It is a huge improvement on AirAsia’s current booking system, and it will allow the continuously- and fast-growing airline to book up to almost 1 million flights a day. The new system is powered by Navitaire, a subsidiary of industry-leading technology and business solutions provider Accenture.

AirAsia’s new booking system was meticulously developed over three years, and more than 200 specially-trained personnel were tapped to implement the new system. AirAsia has been investing heavily in technology to support its expansion across its markets, largely in Asia, Australia and Europe.

Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO ThaiAirAsia, said, “AirAsia’s investment in technology is part of its commitment to give the best services to its guests. We have managed to stay ahead of the pack by smartly using advanced technology to enhance our products and services and to meet the needs of today’s tech-savvy air travelers.”

“The new and improved system will spell for AirAsia’s guests countless benefits, including savings that will come as a result of the more efficient operational processes created by the new system,” she added.

With the new system, guests also will benefit from more innovative sales and marketing campaigns, product and service offerings tailored to guests’ preferences, and better self-service facilities, including direct access to their Credit Shell accounts.

As part of the system implementation process, AirAsia’s booking services will be temporarily unavailable from 12 a.m. on Friday, 9 July 2010 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, 11 July 2010. Guests are strongly encouraged to make bookings in the next few days prior to 12 a.m. on July 9 to avoid disappointment.

AirAsia has notified its guests about the new system implementation on July 9 to 11. Guests may check www.airasia.com, www.facebook.com/AirAsia and www.twitter.com/AirAsiaDotCom for regular updates.

While AirAsia implements its new system, guests will not be able to book seats online, at AirAsia sales offices and counters, and through the call centre. Guests also will not be able to self check in – through the web, by mobile and at the kiosks – or self-manage their booking online. AirAsia will only be accepting cash for purchase of any ancillary product at the check-in counters, including excess baggage fees, during this period.

On July 9 to 11, guests will be manually checked in by AirAsia staff at the airport check-in counters. Guests are advised to check in at least three hours before departure to avoid missing their flights.

Hotel bookings and reservations for tours and activities on airasiago.com will remain available throughout the AirAsia system upgrade.

About AirAsia
AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with approximately 132 routes covering destinations in Asia, Australia and Europe. Within 8 years of operations, AirAsia has carried more than 92 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to approximately 96. The airline today is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean countries, China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia. This is further complemented by AirAsia X, its low-cost long-haul affiliate carrier that currently flies to destinations in China, Australia, Taiwan, India and the UK. AirAsia is the regional carrier with the largest destination network and highest flight frequencies. AirAsia was named World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for two consecutive years in 2009 and 2010.

For more information, visit www.airasia.com

About Navitaire
Navitaire (www.navitaire.com) delivers industry-leading technology services that enable growth, profitability and innovation to more than 70 airlines worldwide, including many of the world’s most successful airlines. Navitaire offers a full suite of proven solutions focused on revenue generation and streamlining costs in the areas of reservations, ancillary sales, distribution, planning, revenue accounting, business intelligence and operations management and recovery. A wholly owned subsidiary of Accenture, Navitaire has offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Source: AirAsia release dated July 8, 2010