PARIS: Celebrations are in the air once again for AirAsia that has been voted the World's Best Low-Cost Airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2023 (Skytrax) for a record- breaking 14th consecutive year.
The airline also emerged as a leading carrier in Asia when it took home the Best Low-Cost Airlines in Asia during the award ceremony held at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget here yesterday.
AirAsia emerged top in its category as a global benchmark of airline quality and excellence in the final results from a list of more than 325 airlines.
Capital A chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, who went on stage to collect the award, described the award this year as a significant milestone to mark a remarkable comeback after the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I have been attending the awards in Paris and London for a long time but this one probably means the most to me. I do not think any brand in the world has won awards for 14 times in a row...it is amazing for a country like Malaysia to come to this global stage and walk away with the awards 14 times.
"I would say winning the award 14 times out of 21 years is quite something. Many wrote us off and others were upset with us over the refunds but people voted for us as we have been consistent.
"It is tough to run an airline during Covid-19 and we have come out of it. Of all the awards won over the past 21 years, this is the most important one for me because we are coming back from Covid-19 and winning is vital as we have proved to the world that we are the best despite the issues out there....I think moving forward, we will get better," he told reporters after the award ceremony.
Fernandes said they were immensely proud and grateful for the meaningful award given by the Skytrax organisers, voters, and the incredible supporters of AirAsia.
"Receiving an award of excellence for 14 consecutive years is a remarkable achievement, one that fills our hearts with joy and humility. This is an extraordinary feat for any company in any industry, even more so for our proudly Asean brand.
"People will always remain the airline's biggest asset and we are thrilled to confirm that all of our 22,000 Allstars who tirelessly strive to provide the best service and experience to millions of our guests, both on the ground and in the air are now back. This award is dedicated to Allstars and all 800 million guests and counting who have voted for AirAsia time and time again, for being a part of its incredible journey," he said.
Meanwhile, Skytrax chief executive officer Edward Plaisted said AirAsia is a survey passenger favourite and have delivered a remarkable degree of consistency every year since the World's Best Low-Cost Airline category was introduced to the awards programme in 2010.
"The recognition from customers should be a great source of pride for the airline management and staff in what has been a difficult period as travel returns after the Covid pandemic," he said, describing the award as an exceptional recognition when a Malaysian brand won the 'World Best' on 14 occasions.
Dubbed the "Oscars of the Aviation Industry", the Skytrax is the global benchmark of airline excellence with over 20.23 million customer surveys completed worldwide between September last year and March this year, a period when AirAsia had steadily increased its network back to over 130 destinations, by more than 100 nationalities.