ID :
21451
Fri, 09/26/2008 - 20:13
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/21451
The shortlink copeid
AIRASIA X AWARDED WORLD'S BEST NEW AIRLINE 2008
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- AirAsia X, the low-cost, long-haul
affiliate of AirAsia, has made Malaysia proud after being named the winner of
the "Best Newcomer" Award at the prestigious 2008 Budgie World Low Cost Airline
Awards held Thursday night at the London Queen Elizabeth II Centre.
AirAsia X, whose shareholders include the Virgin Group, was commended for
its ground-breaking new business model and excellence in launching its services
across Asia Pacific.
AirAsia X beat British Airways' subsidiary airline, Open Skies, as well as
Jin Air and K-Rabi, to the "Best Newcomer" accolade.
It also received the highest number of nominations among all entries. In
total, AirAsia Group was shortlisted in four categories, including "Best Low
Cost Airline", "Best Low Cost Airline: Asia Pacific" and "CEO of the Year".
Since its inaugural flight to Australia's Gold Coast in November 2007,
AirAsia X has announced daily flights to Hangzhou, China, Melbourne and Perth,
with plans to launch services to London as early as next year.
At the ceremony to receive the award, Azran Osman-Rani, CEO AirAsia X,
said:
"It is a great honour for us to receive this award and be in the same peer group
with other winners such as Southwest Airlines, EasyJet and Virgin Blue.
"The recognition of our pioneering model proves that Malaysian companies
can
succeed in the global marketplace. We're proud to keep the Jalur Gemilang flying
high," he said in a statement from London to Bernama today.
Azran said despite tough market conditions in 2008, AirAsia X has provided
its guests with lowest fares to long-haul destinations many have never had the
opportunity to travel before, alongside an enhanced travel experience, including
comfortable leather seats and a newly launched "5 star" menu.
"The result has been tremendous and we have already recorded load factors
of
over 300,000 passengers since inception," he said.
Present was Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO and founder of
AirAsia X.
The Budgie World Low Cost Airline Awards recognises leaders, innovators
and pioneers in the global low-cost aviation industry.
This year's awards were judged by renowned industry consultants
including
John Hanlon, secretary-general of European Low Fare Airline Association,
John Strickland, CEO of JLS Consulting, Jay Sorensen, CEO of IdeaWorks and
Peter Harbison, Executive Director of Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.
affiliate of AirAsia, has made Malaysia proud after being named the winner of
the "Best Newcomer" Award at the prestigious 2008 Budgie World Low Cost Airline
Awards held Thursday night at the London Queen Elizabeth II Centre.
AirAsia X, whose shareholders include the Virgin Group, was commended for
its ground-breaking new business model and excellence in launching its services
across Asia Pacific.
AirAsia X beat British Airways' subsidiary airline, Open Skies, as well as
Jin Air and K-Rabi, to the "Best Newcomer" accolade.
It also received the highest number of nominations among all entries. In
total, AirAsia Group was shortlisted in four categories, including "Best Low
Cost Airline", "Best Low Cost Airline: Asia Pacific" and "CEO of the Year".
Since its inaugural flight to Australia's Gold Coast in November 2007,
AirAsia X has announced daily flights to Hangzhou, China, Melbourne and Perth,
with plans to launch services to London as early as next year.
At the ceremony to receive the award, Azran Osman-Rani, CEO AirAsia X,
said:
"It is a great honour for us to receive this award and be in the same peer group
with other winners such as Southwest Airlines, EasyJet and Virgin Blue.
"The recognition of our pioneering model proves that Malaysian companies
can
succeed in the global marketplace. We're proud to keep the Jalur Gemilang flying
high," he said in a statement from London to Bernama today.
Azran said despite tough market conditions in 2008, AirAsia X has provided
its guests with lowest fares to long-haul destinations many have never had the
opportunity to travel before, alongside an enhanced travel experience, including
comfortable leather seats and a newly launched "5 star" menu.
"The result has been tremendous and we have already recorded load factors
of
over 300,000 passengers since inception," he said.
Present was Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO and founder of
AirAsia X.
The Budgie World Low Cost Airline Awards recognises leaders, innovators
and pioneers in the global low-cost aviation industry.
This year's awards were judged by renowned industry consultants
including
John Hanlon, secretary-general of European Low Fare Airline Association,
John Strickland, CEO of JLS Consulting, Jay Sorensen, CEO of IdeaWorks and
Peter Harbison, Executive Director of Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.
