Tony Fernandes is Masterclass Global CEO of the Year

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. 

 

Award winners were carefully selected by a panel of highly experienced and qualified judges who are experts in their respective fields.

 

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.

 

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.