AirAsia has unveiled the world’s first commercial A320 aircraft with a Formula One team livery. The unveiling of the aircraft, whose livery is an exact look-alike of the AT&T Williams racing car, was held to coincide with the Malaysian Grand Prix and to mark AirAsia’s extended three year partnership with the AT&T Williams Formula One team.
AirAsia’s AT&T Williams aircraft is a fitting tribute to Williams’ traditional racing colours of blue and white, whilst the ‘nose’ of the aircraft is designed to look like Nico Rosberg’s racing helmet. The aircraft AFW30 was named ‘Sir Frank Williams’ in tribute to Sir Frank Williams, Team Principal of AT&T Williams.
Dato’ Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia Berhad said, “As a true 5-star low fare airline, we are proud to be associated with AT&T Williams Team. We have always believed in investing in great talents and embracing innovation that sets us apart from the other airlines. We are glad that our vision in this investment is reaping rewards as AT&T Williams Team is such an incredible success story. Their performance-driven spirit, independently owned, distinctiveness and passion are the same qualities that we strive for. AirAsia echoes these qualities as we are a reflection of a true Malaysian company that has high hopes to become a truly global player, building a company from scratch to become the leading and largest low cost carrier in Asia.”
Nico Rosberg, AT&T Williams Formula One driver said “It has been incredible to see the AT&T Williams livery on AirAsia’s plane. I’m delighted that the design of my helmet, which I have been racing with all my life, has been used to create a lasting tribute to the team’s partnership with AirAsia.”
“I am very impressed at how well the Williams Toyota FW30’s design has translated to the AFW30 Airbus. I think we would all like to thank AirAsia for this great venture and we are proud to be associated with the Airline of the Year 2007. This is indeed a source of inspiration to both of us going into the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend,” added Kazuki Nakajima, AT&T Williams Formula One driver.
AT&T Williams is one of the world’s leading Formula One teams with 16 Formula One World Champions titles to date. The partnership with AirAsia forms part of the airline’s long term branding strategy to build a global brand.