MUSCAT, Oman: AirAsia Bhd was named the world’s leading low-cost airline at the World Travel Awards (WTA) for the seventh consecutive year, recently.
The Malaysia-based low-cost carrier emerged as winner ahead of other global airlines including Air Arabia, Easy Jet, Fast Jet, Fly Dubai, Flynas, Jet Blue, Jetstar Airways, Norwegian, Ryan Air, Southwest Airlines and West Air.
The 26th annual WTA, which was held here, is globally-recognised as one of the most prestigious, comprehensive and coveted honours in the global tourism industry.
AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said AirAsia secured the top spot in the category after receiving the most number of votes – well ahead of its competitors – from travellers and industry professionals.
“We are thrilled to be recognised as world champions yet again by industry watchers and the most discerning of travellers,” he said.
AirAsia also took home the accolade of leading low-cost airline cabin crew for the third year running.
Group head of cabin crew, Suhaila Hassan, said the awards are testament to AirAsia’s dedication to excellence in air travel.
“This recognition comes as we renew our commitment to becoming more than an airline, with expanded travel offerings on airasia.com to better deliver value to our guests and meet their ever-growing expectations of us,” she said.
Suhaila, who has been with the company for over 20 years, leads nearly 6,000 cabin crew in the AirAsia Group.
“We were a small airline two decades ago, with only 30 cabin crew and just two planes operating Malaysian domestic routes. Since then, we have grown and recruited cabin crew from all over the world, hailing from countries including Australia, Brazil, Zambia and the US,” she said.
In his remarks during the award ceremony, WTA founder Graham E Cooke said that AirAsia has continued to set the benchmark for low-cost aviation in Asia and beyond.
“Its dedication to improving its services remains unrivalled, and I am delighted that it has been acknowledged by both the travel trade and the public,” he said. – Bernama