At the Trip.com Group 2026 Asia Growth Conference (AGC), AirAsia executive chairman Tony Fernandes argued that aviation downturns present a prime opportunity for airlines to expand their market share. Speaking on a leadership panel, Fernandes said crises tend to push weaker competitors out of the market, creating room for carriers with lower cost bases and flexible business models to grow.
Fernandes pointed to AirAsia’s strategy of investing through previous shocks to the industry, including the pandemic period, as an example of how capacity, brand presence, and ancillary businesses can be strengthened when demand is subdued and asset prices are lower. He framed aggressive but disciplined expansion during turbulence as a way to secure long-term advantages once travel demand recovers.
The Trip.com AGC 2026 gathering brought together airline and travel industry executives to discuss demand trends across Asia, digital distribution, and the outlook for low-cost carriers. Fernandes’ comments underscored ongoing debates in the sector over how far airlines should go in expanding during uncertain economic and geopolitical conditions.