KUALA LUMPUR (May 28): The AirAsia group, including medium-haul affiliate airlines AirAsia X and Thai AirAsia X, has been named the top low-cost carrier in Asia for 2024 by AirlineRatings.com.
AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said the win was “richly deserved”.
“Renowned founder Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, and his executive team including group CEO Bo Lingam as well as AirAsia X [Bhd] (KL:AAX) CEO Benyamin Ismail have done an outstanding job guiding the airlines to their market dominant position.
“These airlines have made travel affordable for nearly 800 million passengers throughout Asia and Asia Pacific, and they offer outstanding value and a great experience,” said Thomas.
AirAsia was launched in 2001 by Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and Fernandes with just two planes, and has had spectacular growth over the past two decades to become a dominant force in the Asian region.
AirAsia now operates as full-fledged airlines with bases in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia.
The AirAsia group and its affiliate medium-haul airlines have re-written the rule book for airlines in Asia and beyond, and today have over 255 aircraft flying to over 165 destinations.
In a statement on Tuesday, Fernandes, who is CEO of Capital A Bhd (KL:CAPITALA) and strategic adviser to AirAsia Aviation Group, said that after surviving many odds, the airline has put in place the right foundations for significant growth and is about to embark on an exciting new journey with plans to fly to the majority of continents.
“The proposed divestment of the AirAsia Aviation Group of airlines from Capital A to AirAsia X is on track and will be a game changer in the industry to ensure significantly more high quality, low-cost air travel for short-, medium- and long-haul flights connecting Asia and Asia Pacific to the world at the very best cost,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bo said AirAsia continues to push the boundaries on what it means to be a low-cost carrier because low cost doesn’t mean low service.
“As travel demand recovers to pre-pandemic levels, we have over 400 new specification aircraft on order to fuel our ambitious growth plans including flying to places we have never flown before, providing our guests with more value and choice, not only to and from Asia, but across the world.
“Adding to the momentum building from our turnaround strategy, this award is a wonderful testament to the dedication and resilience of the AirAsia team and we thank the experts at AirlineRatings.com for their acknowledgement of our commitment to operational excellence across all that we do,” he said.