AirAsia named ‘Value Airline of the Year’ by ATW magazine

0

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes

KUCHING: AirAsia, the world’s best low cost airline has been named as the inaugural winner of a new category ‘Value Airline of the Year for 2012’ at Penton Media’s Air Transport World (ATW), a leading monthly magazine covering the global airline industry.

ATW’s editors attributed their choice of AirAsia as the winner of the new category due to the low cost carrier’s trailblazing efforts in the low-cost aviation industry through innovative solutions, efficient processes and a passionate approach to the business of connecting people and serving the underserved markets.

Chief editor of ATW Geoffrey Thomas commented, “AirAsia continues to confound analysts with its success, while its one time naysayers have not been heard from in years.

“Tony Fernandes is the Freddie Laker of Asia and he is to be congratulated for his persistence in the face of a host of obstacles to develop an airline that is the talk of every boardroom and government in the region.”

The editors at ATW also noted that AirAsia delivered value to passengers by enabling millions to travel affordably through lower fares, value to employees and to shareholders and/or investors.

ATW acknowledged that since 2002, AirAsia had broken travel norms around the globe and had risen to become the world’s best value airline with a route network that spans across 23 countries.

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, group chief executive officer of AirAsia Bhd said, “We are really honoured to be ATW’s first winner of the ‘Value Airline of the Year’ award.

“We will continue to strive to provide low fares for all our guests, while improving our service. This award reflects AirAsia’s continuous effort in democratizing air travel.

“It is a constant battle, but definitely worth the fight when so many people’s lives have been changed,” he said.

ATW would be presenting the award to AirAsia, and the other winners at a ceremony in Singapore on February 13, 2012.