FERNANDES WINS 'AIRLINE CEO OF THE YEAR FOR 2009' AWARD

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- AirAsia Bhd's group chief executive
officer, Tony Fernandes, has been named the "Airline CEO of the Year for 2009"
by Jane's Transport Finance magazine in London on Friday.

In a statement here Saturday, the company said the award was presented to
Fernandes for leading Malaysia-based AirAsia to become the world's best low-cost
airline and Asia's largest.

"Under Fernandes' leadership, the airline flew more than 75 million guests
in less than eight years," it said.

Fernandes attributed the win to his staff and AirAsia's culture of
innovation.

"I've come this far because of the support of the staff who inspire me and
our culture of innovation in the workplace.

"We have grown AirAsia together, with everybody pitching in with ideas,
actively finding new ways to increase efficiency, improving services by
effectively combining technology and the personal touch, and aggressively and
smartly marketing our brand," he said.

Jane's Transport Finance magazine is a UK-based provider of market
intelligence and integrated solutions to the transport, public safety, defence,
security and law enforcement sectors.

The publication gives awards annually to outstanding achievers in the
airline, airport, rail, road and shipping sectors.
-- BERNAMA