Air Asia recently published its shocking promotional airfares that were highly affordable compared to what we were used to. Undoubtedly, the announcement has raised a few questions, one is possibly how is it that domestic air travel could get to be so cheap?

Have we been paying too high a price to travel on MAS all this while? If so, how could the government allow such a thing to happen? Is this a confirmation that MAS previously operated on a high profit margin? If so, how could it incur such huge debts (even before the crippling effects of Sept 11) and will those responsible for the airline predicament be brought to justice?

It is ironic to see a foreign-owned (Tune Air is speculated to be owned by Virgin Air) airline offer competitive prices to us when MAS, which used to be the pride of the nation, is actually cutting our throats!

Although I am happy at the prospects of cheap air travel, I am sad that it is a foreign-owned company that is now capturing the hearts of Malaysian consumers and thus, making itself the preferred airline for travel within Malaysia.

MAS used to make us proud with its award-winning service. It used to be among the top airlines of the world. Today, it has shamed us when one by one, the stories unfold of the greed and cronyism that plaqued the airline under its previous management.

Can Datuk Md Nor Yusof make the airline the nation's pride and joy once again? Only time can tell. In the meantime, Air Asia is set to annex the glory from MAS, and who knows what surprise is in store for us?