Airasia collaborates with Google Cloud to become travel tech company

AirAsia is collaborating with Google Cloud to integrate machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) into every aspect of its business and culture as part of its transformation into a travel technology company.

AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer, Tony Fernandes said the group has been at the forefront of adopting new digital technologies since its inception in 2001.

“We are now in our next phase of development where we are expanding beyond air transport and digitalising our operations and processes to become more efficient.

“Google Cloud enables us to make full use of the data we own, opening up new opportunities and enabling us to build new businesses,” he said at the two-day Google Next ‘18 conference and industry event which began here today.

Fernandes said the group would build two big platforms, the first being airasia.com, which would be a one-stop digital travel platform where customers could book their travel needs ranging from flights, accommodation, tours, ground transport and entertainment.

He said the second platform would be the ‘’BigLife lifestyle’’ site which would be like combining Kayak, Tripadvisor, Groupon and eBay into a single platform.

“BigLife will incorporate all the digital investments under our digital arm RedBeat Ventures, such as our money app BigPay, our inflight connectivity platform ROKKI, our online marketplace Ourshop and our logistics services RedBox and RedCargo.

“Both platforms will help drive much more business into AirAsia with the help of data,” Fernandes said.

Google Cloud CEO Diane Greene said AirAsia has started using its G Suite programme tools and products to transform the way airlines function.

“Now, with our advanced analytics platform and machine learning services, AirAsia will be able to digitise every aspect of its business to better serve their customers,” she said.

Nominate Malaysia’s Best Marketers

Do you know a Bold & Brave marketer? Give us their names, because we want to celebrate them.

Held for the first time in Malaysia, the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Awards is here to reward the best in the business of marketing.

This award is to identify talent, transparency, tenacity and a take-charge attitude of deserving marketers. An eminent panel of industry leaders will decide on the winners.

There are 30 categories up for grabs at this year’s awards: