Gojek As a Super App Pioneer In Southeast Asia, AirAsia Wants to Learn From Them

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gojek has carried out the latest maneuver for its international business by partnering with airasia Digital to take over the operations of Gojek Thailand. This mutually beneficial agreement allows Gojek to obtain a stake in airasia Super App, which now has a  business valuation of USD 1 billion.

At the same time, in a realignment of its international strategy, Gojek is increasing investment in its Vietnam and Singapore operations, having identified these markets as strong sources of growth for the business going forward. 

Specifically in Singapore, Gojek will increase the number of driver-partners and merchants, improve user experience, and launch new products and services, such as the launch of the latest GoTaxi product or taxi messaging services through the Gojek application in Singapore. Meanwhile in Vietnam, Gojek will soon launch the GoCar four-wheeled transportation service. This service complements the already available two-wheeler, logistics and food delivery services.

During their press conference, airasia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said today’s announcement is “the start of a tremendous long term strategic partnership with Gojek which is sure to rock the industry. 

“By taking on Gojek’s well-established Thai business, we’ll be able to turbo-charge our ambitions in this space to become a leading ASEAN challenger super app,” Tony added.

When asked by the media about what Air Asia can learn from Gojek, Tony replied that Gojek has succeeded in proving its business model to be successful in Indonesia and Singapore.

“For me, they (Gojek) have done it and I’m trying to emulate them. They have been at the forefront.”

Furthermore, Tony expressed his admiration for Gojek. “The forefather of low-cost airlines was Southwest and I took their model along with RyanAir and EasyJet. I think Gojek in ASEAN was really the first kind of Super App and others have emulated them, so we have a lot to learn. Certainly, our speed of growth will be accelerated through the relationship with Gojek. This acquisition is not just about Thailand, it’s about learning how Gojek have built their operations in Thailand, which have been modeled on successful operations in Indonesia and Singapore. 

So, the value to me is of course first, acquiring the business. Two, the relationship with Gojek’s staff, and three, the collaboration of other things we can do together and complement each other. ,” said Tony.

Moreover, Gojek CEO Kevin Aluwi, described the win-win deal with airasia as a testament to Gojek’s accomplishments in Thailand. 

“The business was built on a huge amount of talent and passion and we will of course, work closely with our Thai employees as well as airasia through this transition. We are proud of and deeply grateful for everything Gojek Thailand has achieved, as well as for our loyal Thai consumers and driver and merchant partners, who have always been at the heart of what we do.” said Kevin.(*)