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Journal of Business and Social Development ISSN: 2289-2915

Volume 5 Number 1, March 2017: 25-35 © Penerbit UMT

A CASE STUDY OF FUEL SAVING INITIATIVES ADOPTED BY AIRASIA


(KAJIAN KES TERHADAP INISIATIF PENJIMATAN BAHAN API YANG DIAMALKAN
OLEH AIRASIA)

CHAI SHUE LIANG1, TEY LIAN SENG*2 AND SHARAN KAUR GARIB SINGH2
Graduate School of Business, 2Department of Business and Policy, Faculty of Business and Accountancy, University of
1

Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract: Fuel price fluctuation is a nightmare to airlines. To reduce the impact of fuel
price fluctuation, many fuel saving initiatives have been adopted by airlines throughout
the world. Extant studies have addressed the impact of different fuel saving initiatives
on different airline. However, few studies have examined how an airline operator adopts
different fuel saving initiatives to reduce the impact of fuel price fluctuation. To fill the
gap, this paper analyzed how Malaysian low cost airline - AirAsia responds to fuel price
fluctuation. It not only reveals the fuel initiatives adopted by AirAsia, but also addresses
the issues faced by the company in implementing those fuel saving initiatives.

Keywords: Fuel saving initiatives, airline, AirAsia.

Abstrak: Turun naik harga bahan api menjadi mimpi ngeri untuk operasi syarikat
penerbangan. Bagi mengurangkan impak ini, pelbagai inisiatif dilaksanakan oleh
syarikat penerbangan di seluruh dunia untuk meminimumkan kos operasi. Terdapat
kajian sedia ada yang mengkaji kesan langkah penjimatan bahan api yang berbeza-
beza terhadap syarikat penerbangan yang berbeza. Walaubagaimanapun, hanya
sedikit kajian yang mengkaji bagaimana syarikat penerbangan menggunapakai
langkah penjimatan bahan api yang berbeza-beza ini. Kajian ini dibuat terhadap
syarikat penerbangan tambang murah AirAsia dalam mengharungi ketidaktentuan
harga bahan api. Artikel ini bukan sahaja menjelaskan berkenaan inisiatif penjimatan
bahan api oleh AirAsia tetapi turut merangkumi permasalahan yang dihadapi dalam
melaksanakan insiatif tersebut.

Kata kunci: Inisiatif penjimatan bahan api, syarikat penerbangan, AirAsia.

Introduction and high demand from China since 2004 did


A low cost airline, emphasizes on simplicity, not help to relief fuel prices (Abdelghany et
is famous for its no frills services that allows al., 2005) and this was not seen possible until
passengers to save their travelling cost in recent drop in last quarter of 2014. According
exchange for many traditional passenger to Boeing market watch, the airline industry is
services which are provided by full service projected to achieve a continue average growth
airlines (Jafari & Vasili 2006; Gillen & Lall of about 5% every year and this has outgrown
2004). It was popular in the western countries the production of required fuel for the industry
with the legendary low cost airline like (Hendricks, 2007). Rocketing fuel price had
Southwest Airlines, Ryanair, Jetstar Airways, forced airlines to take drastic measures to
Virgin America, Indigo, Easyjet and many more sustain the difficult times (Akbar & Abdullah,
before AirAsia was setup in January 2002 in 2010). In countries like United States, the
Malaysia. The development of low cost airlines increased in jet fuel price had forced US carriers
in Asia was triggered by the deregulation of the to increase their ticket price. Some of the Asian
aviation industry and the open sky policy in airlines also imposed fuel surcharge to ensure
asia pacific (Lim et al., 2011). their profit were not be greatly affected. Due
to the crisis in middle east which resulted in
Unfortunately, fuel price fluctuation is fuel price escalated, AirAsia had no choice
one of the most challenging tasks that need to but to increase the fuel surcharges to all its
be responded to. The tension in Middle East

Journal of Business and Social Development Volume 5(1) 2017: 25-35


Tey Lian Seng et al. 26

destination to cope with the situation in 2011 Based on a literature review, the fuel
(Lim et al., 2011). saving initiatives by airlines were identified in
Jet fuel cost is the largest expenses by an next section. To achieve the above mentioned
airline operator (Carter et al., 2006). When fuel objectives, a case study approach was
price increases, the common initiatives adopted employed. Several interviews were conducted
by airlines are to increase fuel efficiency in with the managers, engineers and consultant
their operation, direct the fuel increase margin of the company. Data collected was coded and
to their customers and hedge fuel requirement analyzed. Finally, the findings were discussed
for future using derivative market forecast and conclusion were made. The findings of the
(Morrell & Swan, 2006). Like many other low study might help other airlines to enhance their
cost airlines, maintaining low cost has always operation efficiency and achieve sustainable
been the core issue of AirAsia. The main development.
challenge that AirAsia needs to tackle now is
to maintain low cost at all time so that they can Fuel Saving Initiatives Employed by Airlines
continuously provide lower fares to customers.
Prior studies have shown that there are 12 fuel
Thus, it is necessary to study the fuel saving
saving initiatives:
initiatives that airlines adopted.
Extant studies have conducted in fuel Fuel Hedging
saving initiatives. E.g. fuel hedging practices
and firm’s financial performance (Carter et Fuel hedging is one of the practices that
al., 2006); Role of operating, passenger and airlines protect themselves from fuel price
infrastructure cost and fleet planning and fleet fluctuation. It is defined as the act of securing
planning (Megan & Mark, 2003); Energy the fuel prices for future purchase (Morrell &
efficiency in aircraft systems and aviation Swan, 2006). Fuel hedging has been adopted
energy consumption and emission (Lee, 2010); since 1989 where airlines use derivatives based
Excessive fuel loading for operations due on heating oil, crude oil or jet fuel to hedge
to lower fuel price and fuel burn cost saving their fuel cost. Most airlines use vanilla option
(Abdelghany et al., 2005); Technology and to hedge fuel cost which includes swaps,
fuel efficiency (Babikian et al., 2002); Social, futures, call options (including average price
political and economic factor on airline fuel options which are a type of call options), and
optimization (Drake, 1974). However, these collars (including zero cost collars) (Carter
studies only look at one or two aspect of the fuel et al., 2006) . Reasons that airlines hedge
saving initiatives. To fill the gaps, this study are mainly to avoid financial burden cost, to
was carried out with the following objectives: avoid underinvestment problem, tax benefits
(tax incentives given to company with lower
1. To identify the fuel saving initiatives and steady earning) and managerial interest to
adopted by airlines in general. reduce external noises on its earnings (Ribeiro
2. To identify the fuel saving initiatives & Moreira, 2014).
adopted by AirAsia.
3. To identify factors that affect AirAsia’s Fuel Burn Efficiency
fuel saving initiative decision making. Aircraft fuel burn rate is 70% more efficient
4. To describe the assessment method used than what the industry had 40 years ago (Airbus,
by AirAsia to measure their fuel efficiency. 2012). Aircraft manufacturers have improved
the aircraft design and fuel efficiency at a rate of
5. To examine the challenges that AirAsia 1% every year for the last three decades. This is
experience when implementing the translated to a further 20% improvement in fuel
initiatives. efficiency which projected by year 2015 and a

Journal of Business and Social Development Volume 5(1) 2017: 25-35


A CASE STUDY OF FUEL SAVING INITIATIVES ADOPTED BY AIRASIA 27

40-50% improvement by middle of the century emissions and fuel burn by having the aircraft
(Sharif et al., 2009). To counter growing fuel descends rapidly rather than through a series
price, airlines and aircraft manufacturers have of phases which is in practice today (Johnson
continuously looking ways to improve aircraft et al., 2010). When an aircraft descends from
efficiency through technology advancement it optimal cruising altitude in a continuous
and operating procedures. manner, it can contribute to fuel saving up to
40% (Sarkar, 2012).
Optimize Flight Profile
The usage of advance air traffic management Fixed Electrical Power Units
technologies for aviation communications, A fixed electrical power unit supplies electrical
navigation, surveillance systems (CNS) power to an aircraft at bay during aircraft
allows airlines to choose the most proficient transit or night stop for maintenance check.
altitudes and routes, and minimize the takeoff Airports equipped with fixed electrical power
distance and waiting time (Pahlevan et al., units allow aircrafts to plug in the power source
2009). According to claim from IATA, airlines while waiting at gate instead of burning its
can reduce their fuel consumption by 18% engine fuel for electrical power. According to
when airlines use these sophisticated tools Sarkar (2012), Zurich Airport has reported a
to optimize their air traffic control. With an yearly saving of 30000 tonnes of CO2 through
efficient Air Traffic Management (ATM), the usage of electrical power units at its 50
it can avoid unnecessary fuel burn through gates.
waiting in line for take-off, in-flight “holding’,
or waiting for a parking stand on arrival. The Alternate Fuel
most optimal way is to allow aircraft to take
Some of the airlines try to use a cheaper
off and climb to its optimal cruise altitude and
alternate fuel to replace traditional fuel. In
descend continuously for optimum altitude to
early 2008, a demonstration flight was done by
its destination runway (Blakey et al., 2011).
Virgin Airway using bio fuel on its Boeing 747
jets which marked the first test on renewable
Fuel Tankering fuel (Lee, 2010). Airbus has confirmed that
Fuel tankering is another common practice usage of alternate fuel is currently available to
that applied by commercial airline to reduce operators in mixture with traditional fuel up to
the operation costs. Fuel tankering basically 50% ratio without any constraint and operation
means topping off fuel at the cheaper station requirements (Blakey, 2011). However, the
to complete both flight cycles (forth and back) concerns are the bio fuel might experience
to save fuel cost (Walter & Lesinski, 2011). thermal instability when it is exposed to high
However there are drawbacks in this practice temperature and it might freeze at aircraft
where fuel burn goes higher due to heavier fuel normal cruise altitude.
weight carried and higher maintenance cost
(e.g. engine thrust, landing gear, breaks and Reduce Usage of APU
tires) (Abdelghany et al., 2005).
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) has been the
secondary main fuel consumer after aircraft
Continuous Descent Arrival engines. It requires to burn fuel in order to
An energy saving arrivals or commonly known generate electrical power and pneumatic
as continuous descent arrival (CDA) (Itoh et al., pressure for aircraft on ground when engines are
2009) is an alternation to operation procedure not turn on. And it is usually turned on during
to reduce fuel burn. The design of CDA is a aircraft maintenance at line where there is no
new type of approach that reduces noise, ground power unit (GPU) available to supply

Journal of Business and Social Development Volume 5(1) 2017: 25-35


Tey Lian Seng et al. 28

the necessary electrical power for maintenance equipped with fuel saving knowledge is crucial
purposes. Thus, it is recommended to use GPU to make fuel saving plans success. When the
on ground during aircraft servicing to reduce employees are aware of cause and effect of
both fuel and APU life usage (Speyer, 2009). different type of fuel saving initiatives, it will
ease the process of implementing fuel saving
Single Engine Taxi initiatives in the company (IATA, 2009).
Many airlines encourage their pilots to perform
single engine taxi on ground when it is possible. Methodology
It is usually performed after aircraft landed or Single case study was applied for this research.
on its way to runway for takeoff. This is done AirAsia had been selected for the study. To
to reduce fuel burn by engine when aircraft are enhance corroboration, convergence and
capable to travel with single engine to facilitate correspondence of the findings, a two-phase
necessary power. However, due to safety issue semi-structured interviews were carried
and airport regulations, pilots are not always out with the regional fuel manager (F01) of
allowed to perform the procedure in all airports AirAsia, continuous improvement programme
(Ryerson et al., 2010). manager (F02) and technical services engineer
(F03) of AirAsia who are directly involve in
Reduce Aerodynamic Drag formulation and implementation of fuel saving
Aircraft aerodynamic drag is one of the factor initiatives. The interviews were conducted in
that increases the fuel consumption. It increases AirAsia office meeting room and it took around
when aircraft age. Aircraft drag increases 2 hours per interview in September 2014. First
when there are damaged seal on airframe, phase of the interview were conducted with F01.
improper rigging of control surface, paint His experience in managing and implementing
roughness, chipped paint, structure damages fuel saving initiatives for AirAsia provided
from lightning strike, bird strike or even us with the necessary information regarding
ground vehicles due to poor maintenance job. the fuel saving initiatives formulation and
Restoring aircraft structure and engine to as implementation. Second phase interview
good as new conditions allows airline operators were conducted with F02 and F03 who assist
to maintain aircraft aerodynamic efficiency fuel manager in carrying out the fuel saving
without causing more drag. (IATA, 2009). initiatives to get in depth understanding on
the issues arises in fuel saving initiatives
Weight Reductions implementation. This gave us an insight of how
the departments support fuel saving initiatives
Carrying extra weight on an aircraft cause implementation and identify problems faced by
more fuel burn during operation (IATA, 2009). AirAsia. The interview questions are shown in
Airlines have the options to reduce aircraft Appendix 1. To ensure the face validity, all the
weight by maintaining minimum weight carried interview questions were verified by experts in
on aircraft to burn less fuel. This can be done the area which include General Electric (GE)
by reducing meal cart size, carrying less water black belt instructor, GE aviation fuel manager
onboard , less fuel required if sectors is short, and AirAsia technical services manager, before
digitalized aircraft manual onboard and etc. the interview process. All the interviews were
recorded by using voice recorder. In data
Education analysis, data collected was classified and
Education is important for the employees to simplified according to the data source. It was
be in the same thoughts as management when then coded by using open coding, axial coding
comes to initiating fuel saving initiatives in and selective coding to get the findings.
the company. Employees of an airline who are

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A CASE STUDY OF FUEL SAVING INITIATIVES ADOPTED BY AIRASIA 29

Table 1: Comparison of fuel saving initiatives between general practices vs AirAsia practices
Item Fuel saving operational General Practices by AirAsia Practices (Yes/No)
approach Airlines (Yes/No)
1 Fuel Burn Efficiency Yes Yes
2 Optimize Flight Profile Yes Yes
3 Fuel Tankering Yes Yes
4 Continuous Descent Arrival Yes Yes
5 Fixed Electrical Power Units Yes No
6 Alternate Fuel Yes No
7 Reduce Usage of APU Yes Yes
8 Single Engine Taxi Yes Yes
9 Reduce Aerodynamic Drag Yes No
10 Weight Reductions Yes Yes
11 Education Yes Yes
12 Hedging Yes Yes

Findings and Discussion to reduce its fuel cost is one of distinctive


Comparison of general fuel saving initiatives competencies of AirAsia to compete in Asia.
implemented by airlines and AirAsia When this distinctive competency blends with
other distinctive competencies (e.g., marketing
Literature review revealed that there are twelve activities, financial management, and etc.),
fuel saving initiatives which are commonly it will become the AirAsia’s competitive
practiced by airlines. The findings of interview advantage that is not easily imitated by other
showed AirAsia has performed most of the airline (Coff, 1999).
existing initiatives except fixed electrical power
unit, alternate fuel and reduce aerodynamic drag. Factors affect decision making on adoption of
The reasons that AirAsia does not fuel saving initiative
implement these fuel saving initiatives are 1) The findings revealed that the factors affect
the aircrafts used by AirAsia are relatively new, decision making on adoption of new fuel
these aircrafts do not suffer from aerodynamic saving initiative include man power, the
drag. 2) Alternate fuel is still not a perfect saving level, the cost in implementation,
substitute product of traditional fuel. 3) Not support from suppliers and original equipment
all the airports provide fixed electrical power manufacturers (OEMs). For adoption of fuel
unit. The common practice of AirAsia is it saving initiative, respondent F01 focuses more
will conduct cost and benefit analysis before on the man power to execute the initiative in
deciding to implement a new fuel saving decision making. Whereas respondent F02
initiative. However, AirAsia may consider to and F03 will consider the saving level of the
implement these fuel saving initiatives once they new initiative, the implementation cost, and
have become industrial practices to reduce its supports from OEMs before they decide which
risk. The managers who involved in fuel saving initiative to be adopted. Respondent F01 are
initiatives have vast experience and awareness more to a macro level of managing the fuel
about existing fuel saving initiatives in market. saving initiatives whereas respondents F02
They continuously seek ways to improve and F03 are more to execution and monitoring
AirAsia fuel saving performance. The success of fuel initiatives at micro level in related to
of integrating different fuel saving initiatives their department. Respondents F02 and F03

Journal of Business and Social Development Volume 5(1) 2017: 25-35


Tey Lian Seng et al. 30

tend to look at OEMs as support or influence to Discussion and Conclusion


their fuel saving initiatives because they work Although fuel is an external factor that AirAsia
hand in hand with the OEMs in implementing might have less bargaining power to response
and tackling any technical issues arising in to, AirAsia has done a fantastic job in keeping
the process. However, at the very initial stage its fuel consumption to the lowest possible
when the initiative is merely just an idea, the which is inimitable to its competitors. It has
decision making lays in the hand of AirAsia become one of the organization competitive
higher management. At this stage, their advantages to compete in market (Priem &
decision making will not be influenced by Butler, 2001). In a nutshell, AirAsia is strong
neither suppliers nor OEMs. in continuously searching for fuel saving
initiatives and improvement in its existing
AirAsia Fuel Burn Efficiency Measurement practices to save fuel consumption.
Findings showed that there are two methods This study have made several contribution.
measuring the initiatives. Fuels saving Prior studies showed that not many studies
initiatives are measured at both macro and have been done on AirAsia fuel cost efficiency
micro level depends on the measurement values managements. Most of the studies performed
that respondents are studying. In a Macro on AirAsia are about the low cost carrier model
level, respondent F01 are measuring it at a ( O’Connell & Williams, 2005), sustainability
fixed quarterly interval for all initiatives where of AirAsia business model (Lim et al.,
reports will be presented to higher management 2011), AirAsia service strategy on customer
and shared with all stakeholders. The fuel burn satisfactions (Munusamy, 2011), AirAsia
efficiency will be measured through the cost business plans (Taylor, 2013) and Managerial
per distance and the cost to run an aircraft per comparison between AirAsia and Malaysia
hour. However, at a micro level, respondent Airlines (Kamisan & King, 2013). This study
F02 and F03 are doing it according to their has explored the different fuel saving initiatives
initiatives requirement. They measure it on implemented by AirAsia.
monthly basis through aircraft performance
degradation since aircraft degrades according Second, plenty of fuel saving initiative
to time factor. Therefore, it is necessary to be studies were done in the developed countries,
monitoring the degradation factors on monthly e.g. fuel hedging of Southwest Airlines (Carter
basis in order to get a better idea of the aircraft et al., 2004), fuel hedging of American Airlines
performances. (Ribeiro & Moreira, 2014) and assessing role
of operation, customer and infrastructure cost
under fuel price uncertainty on USA carriers
Challenges in Fuel Saving Initiatives
(Smirti & Hansen, 2009). This study was
Implementation
conducted based on data collected from a
The most challenging task to implement the developing country.
new fuel saving initiatives is to get stakeholders
Third, numerous studies focused on one
to buy in the idea. When a new initiative is
specific fuel saving initiatives at a time. E.g,
introduced, stakeholders may have doubt with
the fuel hedging practices under Southwest
regards to the outcome of the initiative and it
Airline (Carter et al., 2006), energy efficiency
is common to have the tendency to reject new
in aircraft systems to reduce aviation energy
initiative. However, once the stakeholders
consumptions and emission (Lee, 2010), fuel
are comfortable with the initiatives through
management program to reduce fuel emission
operation under defined limitations and data
(Transat, 2014), fleet planning under fuel price
justifications, they will slowly accept it.
influence to rationalize the adoption of fuel
efficiency (Ryerson et al., 2010), fuel burn

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A CASE STUDY OF FUEL SAVING INITIATIVES ADOPTED BY AIRASIA 31

cost saving to analyze stages of fuel ferry prevalence was 4.0%. A monotonic increase in
flight ( Abdelghany et al., 2005), technology, lifetime overall prevalence was found from the
operation and cost in comparison between large youngest to the 50-64 cohort, declining then
and narrow aircraft (Babikian et al.,2002) and in the oldest group. Median age of onset was
airline fuel optimization to address constraints 30.0. Being a woman (OR=2.7). This allows
in realistic way (Drake, 1974). This study has us to see the different perspective of initiating
addressed all the fuel saving initiatives based fuel saving initiatives from a macro and micro
on data collected from AirAsia. level.
Fourth, previous studies were looking Sixth, the findings showed that when
at the beneficial and practices of fuel saving airline has an intention to implement a new
initiatives of airlines, e.g., improving efficiency initiative, they should always start by creating
of aircraft systems (Lee, 2010), political and awareness to the stakeholders involved in the
economic on fuel optimization (Drake, 1974) project and trying to let the stakeholders buy
and fuel prices effect on airline operators in the ideas before starting at full capacity.
(Jacobs, 2012). This paper has investigated the Only after all stakeholders agreed with the
problems that prevent airline operators from new initiative, it can only be implemented
implementing new fuel saving initiative. It smoothly. In initial stage of implementation,
provides an insight of general problem faced airline should start it with small scale to
when implementing fuel initiatives and how reduce its impact on the operation of airline.
AirAsia resolved the problems arise. For examples, if there are stakeholders that are
Fifth, a two-phase interview process not comfortable with the new initiative due to
had been employed in this study. Data was concerns over side effect on aircraft component
collected from multiple informants. It enable reliability, implementation can always start in
compatibility between the interview responds a smaller scale such as only selected aircraft is
to enhance the validity of research findings involved to collect the data. Once stakeholders
(Morren et al., 2012). At the first phase, are convinced with the initiative outcomes,
interview is done with regional fuel manager only then the new fuel saving initiative be
of AirAsia to get an understanding of how fuel implemented throughout the organization.
saving initiatives was performing in AirAsia. The findings also revealed that airlines should
Whereas at the second phase, interview continue to improve its fuel saving. They not
were conducted with the personnel form only need to improve their existing initiatives,
technical service performance department and but also seek new initiative to be adopted to
continuous improvement department to obtain further reduce their fuel consumption.
an in-depth information of the initiatives Seventh, the findings showed that Air
(Gabilondo et al., 2010) one of the biggest Traffic Management (ATM) in Malaysia
southern European countries, is scarce and plays an important role in aircraft fuel burn.
heterogeneous. The objective of this study was Collaboration between ATC and airlines
to assess the epidemiology of the disorder in is important to make sure that efficient
the Spanish sample of the ESEMeD project.\n\ communications exist. With the current
nMETHODS: The ESEMED-Spain project is a increase of air traffic in Malaysia, ATC has
cross-sectional, general population, household to upgrade their technology to better control
survey conducted with a representative air traffic. For example, ATC can consider
sample of Spanish non-institutionalized adult to use the Communication Pilot Data Link
population. The survey instrument was the Communication (CPDLC) system which is
CIDI 3.0, a structured diagnostic interview to used in USA. The communication system
assess disorders and treatment.\n\nRESULTS: acts like a short messaging system (SMS)
Lifetime prevalence was 10.6% while 12-month between aircraft and ATC which allows pilot

Journal of Business and Social Development Volume 5(1) 2017: 25-35


Tey Lian Seng et al. 32

using SMS to communicate with ATC. It can questionnaire. AirAsia Regional Fuel Manager
reduce the risk of overheard because of high Mr Jonathan Sanjay, Technical Services
traffic and radio congestion. In addition, policy – Performance Engineer Mr Firdaus, and
makers should work with airlines to come Continuous Improvement Programme Manager
out with shorter route for airline to travel Mr Herdy for their precious time in answering
from one destination to another destination to the interview questions.
reduce its fuel consumption which causes less
carbon dioxide emission. This is important for
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A CASE STUDY OF FUEL SAVING INITIATIVES ADOPTED BY AIRASIA 35

Appendix 1 Interview Questions


1. What fuel saving initiatives Through the following general interview questions:
measurements did AirAsia 1. What are the types of fuel saving approaches adopted
adopt in respond to fuel price by AirAsia?
fluctuation? 2. How are they being launched and monitored?
3. Does each of the fuel saving initiative produce the
predicted outcome?
4. Will there be new fuel saving initiatives in near future
that company is looking to embark on? What are they?
2. What are the conditions that Through the following general interview questions:
influence AirAsia to adopt 1. How decisions were made on when and what fuel
fuel saving initiatives? saving initiatives should be employed?
2. What are the efficiencies or factors of fuel saving
initiatives considered when choosing to implement
them?
3. Do suppliers play any role in influencing airline
operator to start on fuel saving initiatives?
4. Beside fuel fluctuation cost, Is there any other factors
that encourage AirAsia to adopt fuel saving? What are
they?
5. What are the threats and how airlines in Malaysia or
nearby regions affect your decision in fuel saving?
3. How AirAsia fuel Through the following general interview questions:
management team assesses 1. What measurements were employed for each fuel
effectiveness of fuel saving saving initiative?
initiatives adopted? 2. How long of data will be retrieved for assessment?
Why?
3. Which personnel will be involved for fuel saving
initiatives measurement and assessment?
4. How do you decide if effectiveness of each fuel saving
initiative is achieved after implementation?
4. What approaches AirAsia Through the following general interview questions:
took to solve problems raised 1. What were the problems/challenges faced while
when implementing the introducing/implementing these initiatives?
initiatives? 2. Were there restrictions from parties that involved? How
were they resolved?
3. Were there limitations for each initiative? What are
they?
4. How are the problems being handled?

Journal of Business and Social Development Volume 5(1) 2017: 25-35

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