KUALA LUMPUR (April 8): airasia Super App has signed a five-year collaboration with Google Cloud to advance its vision of a co-innovation ecosystem that all businesses and developers can partake in to serve 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-sized enterprises (MSMEs) on the platform, and ensure accessibility for diverse users in cities 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 parcel delivery, ride-hailing, financial and health 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 in the game, but with the Super App as the centre of our ecosystem of e-commerce, logistics and fintech, we are determined to give all 700 million people in ASEAN inclusivity, accessibility and value,” said Capital A chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

“With Google’s help, our ecosystem will not only be transactional, but be about building community and enriching that community — not just the customers but partners like restaurants, airlines, hotels and drivers. 

“I’m 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,” said  Fernandes.

The strategic collaboration and ecosystem building efforts will encompass four pillars, namely fostering an agile culture and co-innovation talent engine; ensuring seamless user access anytime and anywhere, on any device; unlocking data-driven insights to fuel MSME growth; as well as empowering partners and developers to co-innovate and contribute.

airasia Super App CEO Amanda Woo said it is therefore crucial 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 provide even more tailor-made 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 in 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 are helping small businesses thrive and stimulate economies.

“In fact, the World Economic Forum estimates that 70% of new economic value generated in the next decade will be driven by digital platform business models,” he said.

“airasia Super App is an inspiring example of a company that’s innovating using cloud-first technologies to better reach and serve their customers. 

“We’re proud to be working with Fernandes and his team to further develop talent and an open innovation ecosystem to meet diverse digital lifestyle needs across Southeast Asia,” he added.