AirAsia Group CEO Dato’ Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes was the proud recipient of the Masterclass Global CEO of the Year award at the 2nd Malaysia Business Leadership Award (MBLA) 2010 ceremony, held at the Grand Ballroom of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
Agriculture and Agro-based Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar presented Fernandes with the award in front of an impressive audience which consisted of government ministers, foreign diplomats and dignitaries from the Middle East representing their respective countries’ chamber of commerce.
The ceremony, jointly organized by the Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce (KLMCC) and The Leaders Magazine -- Malaysia’s leading industrial magazine -- given out awards for a total of 38 categories, honoring the achievements of various high profile business leaders in Malaysia and their immense contributions to the country’s economy.
Fernandes said, “This award means so much not only to me but all of us in AirAsia. This is another major milestone for us and this further bolsters our pledge to provide unrivaled services to our guests. Our utmost appreciation goes to the organizers, the Kuala Lumpur Chamber of Commerce, for this honour. We also thank everyone instrumental to our success, especially the various government agencies for all their support to our efforts in boosting the nation’s economy and burnishing ‘Brand Malaysia’ across the globe.”
Award winners were carefully selected by a panel of highly experienced and qualified judges who are experts in their respective fields. The judging panel consisted of Dato’ Sheikh Yahya Sheikh Mohammad, Deputy Director General of Labour Department Malaysia; Tan Sri Datuk Rajandram, CEO of Ratings Association Malaysia; Datuk Danny Ooi, Founder of Malaysia Book of Records; Prof. Adj Dato’ Syed Amin Aljeffri, President of KLMCC; and Arthur F. Carmazzi, Top Ten Leadership guru in the world.
AirAsia, which has hubs in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, has democratized travel in the ASEAN region. It connects all 10 ASEAN capitals and more cities with ‘sky bridges’, linking and benefiting countless communities. By promoting travel in the region through low fares, an extensive network of destinations and great flight frequencies, it has helped Malaysia and the region achieve economic growth.
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Fernandes co-founded AirAsia and has led the airline in its transformation from a loss-making Malaysian airline into the ASEAN airline that it is now. AirAsia, Asia’s leading and largest low-cost carrier also connects the ASEAN region with China, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Australia. Through its low-cost long-haul affiliate AirAsia X, it connects the region with more destinations in Asia (China, Taiwan and India), Australia and Europe (through the United Kingdom).
Under the leadership of Fernandes, in only eight years, AirAsia grew its fleet from two aircraft to 95, its staff from 250 to 7,000, and its routes from one to more than 132. It has to date flown more than 92 million guests.
AirAsia was also chosen as the world’s best low-cost airline once again for two consecutive years (2009 & 2010). In the annual global survey conducted by respected London-based aviation consultants Skytrax, almost 18 million travelers polled worldwide chose AirAsia as the World’s Best Low Cost Airline. AirAsia came out tops in the independent survey that measures airlines’ product and service standards. This remarkable feat significantly reflects the aptitude of a Malaysian brand to excel at the world stage and stand tall amongst major international players, thus elevating the nation’s name to a higher level.
About AirAsia and AirAsia X
AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with approximately 132 routes covering destinations in Asia, Australia and Europe. Within 8 years of operations, AirAsia has carried more than 92 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to approximately 92. The airline today is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean countries, China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia. This is further complemented by AirAsia X, its low-cost long-haul affiliate carrier that currently flies to destinations in China, Australia, Taipei and the UK. AirAsia is the regional carrier with the largest destination network and highest flight frequencies. AirAsia was named World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for two consecutive years in 2009 and 2010.
For more information, visit www.airasia.com.