The ability to pivot your business in times of crisis is now more important than ever. This pandemic is one of the toughest global economic challenges we have ever faced with many sectors affected, especially aviation and tourism. In today’s continuously changing business environment, constantly affected by unpredictable external factors, it is the human assets that can differentiate a company from its competition. Truly, what makes airasia great is its people. As Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, CEO of airasia group always says “Our greatest asset is our people.”

In keeping with these tough times, airasia has seen many of its staff, known as Allstars, ‘pivoting’ to new roles and learning new skills to face the current challenges. This was partly made easier due to airasia’s foresight of setting up Redbeat Academy, which was initially set up to upskill and cross-train staff for the digital revolution, but has now greatly assisted Allstars to use their newly acquired skills in more sought after sectors within the company. It has always been a core value within airasia to put people first, reskill them for any challenges that may come up and they in turn, will take care of the company.

Below we share a few heartwarming and inspirational stories of airasia’s Allstars who have risen up to the challenge of this pandemic and have upskilled themselves to take advantage of new roles created within the company to meet changing needs and demands.

From Ramp Officer to Data Analyst

Mohamed Hazriq Fitri first grabbed the opportunity to join Redbeat Academy in 2019 because he believed he needed new skills to face the digital revolution. In the beginning, it was a struggle for him to juggle being a ramp officer and study part time. However, Hazriq firmly believes that you should “never stop learning until you are old” and continues to persevere. He is currently going through the Data Analysis and Machine Learning Course at the academy in order to improve his skills as a data analyst.

From Cabin Crew to Customer Happiness Agent

Cynthia Maretta pursued her dream of becoming a cabin crew member for AirAsia Indonesia in 2017, five years after she joined AirAsia as ground staff. Bali was the last destination she served before the Covid-19 outbreak severely limited flights in the region. Grounded and locked at home, Cynthia volunteered to become an agent in the customer happiness team, which was overwhelmed by a sudden influx of guest requests and queries. Her years of experience handling guests’ needs inflight proved invaluable in helping out the customer service team during the most challenging of times.

Business Development to Customer Happiness Manager

When the Covid19 pandemic hit Thailand and forced everyone indoors, Tanus Kerdsombut felt very confused. However, he knew he had to adapt, and was happy to take up the customer happiness role offered to him by airasia. He understood the importance of the customer happiness team during the crisis and was ready to rise up to the challenge to help the company in times of need and also challenge himself with a new career path.

From Cabin Crew to Teleport Exec

Jack Khor was a proud AirAsia Malaysia cabin crew member for three years but was looking to improve his skills and knowledge in other areas. He is now a merchant success executive at Teleport. In the beginning it was a challenge for Jack to learn how to utilise the new tools required to get his job done whilst trying to adapt to the challenges of a digital business environment. However, as teamwork is always key when you are a cabin crew, Jack found it easy to communicate with his new team members and merchants which helped make his new role a success.

From Senior Cabin Crew to External Influencers Lead

Mark Alvin Lasco was an AirAsia Philippines’ Senior Cabin Crew member before joining the Communications and Public Affairs team as an External Influencers Lead, coordinating celebrities, vloggers, media, and influencers who choose to fly with AirAsia Philippines. When asked why he pivoted to another role, Mark was quick to say that when he heard the company needed help in this role, he was happy to lend a hand as he already had similar experience from his previous job. Like many of us, Mark had to make adjustments due to the pandemic. He has also set up a small online food business and even explored becoming a social media influencer himself. You can check out his social media page at @iamalvinlasco.

From Captain to Teleport Business Development Manager

At the start of Covid lockdowns, Captain Lim Wei Lung was enjoying the extra time he had with his family at home. However, when he heard that Teleport, airasia’s logistic venture was recruiting, he immediately took up the challenge to help the company. He knew Teleport was doing very important work ‘teleporting’ cargo and daily essentials, and utilised his pilot’s acumen to monitor and troubleshoot operational issues with the team at Teleport. Captain Lim enjoys the teamwork and company of Teleporters from all walks of life and hopes to be able to continue to help out even after lockdowns are lifted.

(Middle) Mohamed Imran with rehired Allstars at Santan NU Sentral, Kuala Lumpur.

From Analyst to Santan Franchise Owner

Mohamed Imran joined airasia back in 2016 as a senior executive in ancillary revenue and more recently joined Santan, airasia’s Asean fast food group of restaurants, where he is involved in franchise strategy and data. With his experience in F&B, opening up a Malaysian restaurants in Sydney with some of his housemates, Imran recognised Santan’s potential and decided to become a Santan franchise owner himself. Imran now runs the Nu Sentral Santan outlet and all his employees are ex airasia cabin crew members who found themselves out of jobs due to the pandemic.

As we commemorate airasia’s 19th anniversary this month, it’s a great time to also celebrate the resilient and hardworking Allstars who have made airasia what it is today. That same fighting spirit we had back in 2002 is still alive and well today. Thank you to the Allstars for keeping the faith and doing whatever it takes to rise up to any challenges that come our way. We will get through this together, and are working hard to get all our Allstars back together again once things get better.

Pivoting in the face of pandemic