airasia Super App, Google Cloud creates collaboration to unlock digital growth
KUALA LUMPUR (April 8): airasia Super App has signed a five-year partnership with Google Cloud to further its vision of a co-innovation ecosystem that all businesses and developers can tap into to meet the daily needs of people in the region.
The two sides will combine core competencies to nurture technology talent, co-create software tools for open innovation, deliver data-driven intelligence on behalf of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on the platform, and ensure accessibility to diverse users in urban and rural areas, said airasia Super App.
The digital travel and lifestyle platform, which operates in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, is part of Capital A Bhd’s digital pillar, and has 51 million users.
The platform offers flight and hotel bookings, e-commerce, food and package delivery, trip messaging, financial and healthcare services, on-demand education and more, anchored by an integrated rewards program and mobile wallet.
Since its inception in 2020, airasia Super App has become one of three unicorns headquartered in Malaysia, according to Credit Suisse.
“We may be late to the game, but with the Super app at the center of our e-commerce, logistics and fintech ecosystem, we are determined to provide inclusion, accessibility and value to all 700 million people in ASEAN,” said Capital A CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.
“With Google’s help, our ecosystem will not only be transactional, but about building community and enriching that community – not just the customers, but partners like restaurants, airlines, hotels and drivers.
“I am excited to reveal how airasia and all of Capital A’s assets will transform ASEAN and deliver value, not only in transactions, but in making ASEAN a smaller place. What we are doing is not evolutionary, but revolutionary, Fernandes said.
The work on strategic collaboration and ecosystem building will include four pillars, namely promoting an agile culture and co-innovation talent engine; ensure seamless user access anytime, anywhere, on any device; unlocking data-driven insights to drive MSME growth; in addition to empowering partners and developers to innovate and contribute.
Airasia Super App CEO Amanda Woo said it is therefore imperative that the company leverages Google’s rich experience in building global platforms and ecosystems to equip and engage more talent, entrepreneurs and partners who can offer even more tailored solutions that fit users’ lives.
“What we’re announcing today is just the beginning, and we look forward to exploring further co-innovation initiatives with Google, whether it’s digital travel planning, self-driving cars, cloud gaming, startup investment or supporting frontline workers through Google Workspace,” she said.
Meanwhile, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said super apps help small businesses thrive and stimulate economies.
“In fact, the World Economic Forum estimates that 70% of new economic value generated over the next decade will be driven by digital platform business models,” he said.
“airasia Super App is an inspiring example of a company innovating by using cloud-first technologies to better reach and serve its customers.
“We are proud to work with Fernandes and his team to further develop talent and an open innovation ecosystem to address diverse digital lifestyle needs across Southeast Asia,” he added.
