If it wasn’t already clear that budget airline AirAsia is prepared to take on all comers, its group CEO Tony Fernandes announced today that it’s signed a one-year marketing agreement with Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao.
The marketing deal will kick off with two AirAsia Airbus A320 aircraft flying Pacquiao and his entourage to Macau on November 23, for the boxer’s match with Chris Algieri.
Part of the deal will involve giving one of the A320 aircraft a custom paintjob, emblazoned with Pacquiao’s portrait, according to a report by The Star Online.
“We try to celebrate heroes, guys or girls who come from nowhere and make people’s dreams come true,” Fernandes said.
“So when this opportunity (with Pacquiao) came, it was too good an opportunity to miss.”
Fernandes added that the plan was to have the newly-repainted plane prepped in time to send Pacquiao to Macau on November 23.
“If we can do it in time (for Nov 23) – and I think we can – that would be pretty cool.”
No mention was made of how much money AirAsia had offered the world-famous pugilist to have him sign on to the deal.
