The World Of Aviation

BANGKOK, 09 October 2008 – For the second time, AirAsia bagged the Best Asian Low-Cost Carrier award from Asia Pacific’s leading travel news publisher, TTG.

The Best Asian Low-Cost Carrier award went to AirAsia after industry stakeholders including travel agents, tour operators and destination management companies voted for the airline in a three-month poll conducted by TTG. AirAsia’s win in the TTG Travel Awards 2008 reflects the airline’s vast popularity in the travel industry. The airline won the same coveted award in 2005.

AirAsia received the award for being the low-cost airline “providing the best service, network and schedules; for being the most agent-friendly in terms of reservations, confirmations and for having the most professional sales and marketing teams in terms of innovative ideas, incentive programmes and servicing,” said TTG.

AirAsia Regional Head of Commercial, Ms. Kathleen Tan was present at the ceremony at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre, Central World, Bangkok to receive the award on behalf of the airline. Over 700 industry professionals attended the event.

AirAsia Regional Head of Commercial, Ms Kathleen Tan said, "We are extremely honoured to be named Best Asian Low Cost Carrier by TTG, and recognition of our low cost model by our industry peers. The aviation industry is going through turbulent times with uncertainties of where oil is heading. This is a period where airlines are consolidating, re-thinking strategies and deployment of route network. In AirAsia, we have placed a huge order of 175 Airbus 320s and 25 Airbus 330’s for AirAsia X and we believe there is a silver lining in every cloud and looking forward to have some exciting challenges ahead of us. Technology has changed the dynamics of air travel, consumers buying habits and patterns. With our low fares, we see more families, youths and even companies on incentives travel flying with AirAsia.”

“AirAsia has flown over 55 million guests and we are certain, our innovation through the internet has made travel booking seamless, fast and convenient to the new generation of travellers, thus accelerating travel demand and changing travel landscapes. The buzz in Asia was even more evident after the recent Beijing Olympics and AirAsia remains committed to make travel effortless with our low fares, allow more people to fly and connect more points to enhance our network and stimulate travel demand, especially for the leisure market. We hope to continue to raise our bars of service level and work closely to support our industry partners to boost travel demand and thank them for supporting AirAsia,” concluded Kathleen.

AirAsia Group flies to all ASEAN countries and to China and Australia. It operates an extensive network of over 106 routes and has six hubs – Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia; Bangkok in Thailand; and Jakarta and Bali in Indonesia.

About AirAsia

AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network in South East Asia with over 105 routes. Within the grasp of six years of operation, AirAsia has carried over 50 million passengers and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to 72. The airline today is proud to be a truly ASEAN airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across 11 ASEAN countries.

AirAsia was recognised as one of the Top 50 Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company Magazine and the winner of the prestigious Airline Strategy Award 2008 in the Finance Category.