Southeast Asian Rio Paralympic medallists score free AirAsia flights

AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes is leading the way in showing how to treat sports champions right, regardless of ability or disability. 

The CEO’s big-hearted gestures don’t discriminate — after promising sponsored flights on his budget airline to medallists in the Rio Olympics (Joseph Schooling got free tickets for life after scoring gold), Fernandes offered the same rewards for paralympians. 

“Thought the summer olympics was amazing. But the Paralympics has showed me what determination is all about,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “Thanks guys and girls for giving all of us the spirit to never give up despite all the obstacles in front of us.”

Just like Schooling, Gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu will be getting free flights for life after winning Singapore’s first medal in this year’s Rio Paralympic Games (and setting a new world record in the 100m backstroke event as well). Fellow paralympics swimmer Theresa Goh came in third for the 100m breaststroke event, scoring bronze and three years of free flights on AirAsia. 

Fernandes — a Malaysian — expressed his pride for his home country for leading the way in the region. Malaysia scored a total of three gold medals so far in the Rio Paralympics, including two occasions of setting new world records. 

 



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