AirAsia Celebrates 16th Win as World’s Best Low-Cost Airline

Capital A CEO and Co-Founder of AirAsia, Tony Fernandes, and Capital A Chairman & AirAsia Co-Founder, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, together with the Allstar flight crew, proudly received the award as AirAsia was named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the 16th consecutive year at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2025, held in Paris on June 18.

AirAsia Celebrates 16th Win as World’s Best Low-Cost Airline

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationweek.com

June 18, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – AirAsia has been honored as the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2025, marking an impressive 16 years of excellence in low-cost travel.

The award highlights AirAsia’s extensive network, which spans over 130 destinations across ASEAN and beyond, offering affordable fares and a steadfast commitment to operational excellence.

The airline continues to enhance connectivity, making travel more accessible and affordable through its multi-hub strategy in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia.

During the award ceremony at the Paris Air Show 2025 in France, Capital A chairman and AirAsia co-founder Datuk Kamarudin Meranun thanked the organizers for the recognition, stating: “Receiving this award for the 16th time is incredibly meaningful.”

“Our journey began with the vision of making flying affordable for everyone, and this acknowledgment reinforces our dedication to that mission. We remain motivated to push our boundaries even further,” Meranun declared.

Tony Fernandes, Capital A CEO and also AirAsia co-founder, shared his response to the victory as he reflected on the airline’s growth from serving 200,000 passengers in its inaugural year to anticipating its one billionth guest this year.

He credited the airline’s success to the unwavering support of its customers and the dedication of its team.

“This award belongs to our Allstars, whose trust and hard work have enabled us to overcome challenges and achieve this milestone.”

Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted congratulated AirAsia on its achievement, noting that the recognition reflects the airline’s commitment to providing quality and affordable travel options in a highly competitive market.

The award also underscores AirAsia’s role in connecting both major and underserved secondary and tertiary cities, enabling the introduction of strategic routes such as Kuala Lumpur-Labuan Bajo, Bangkok-Narathiwat, and Manila-Tagbilaran.

AirAsia plans to expand its connectivity into Central Asia and the Middle East to establish itself as the first truly global low-cost carrier.

Its focus on enhancing guest experiences has fostered high levels of customer loyalty and brand advocacy, positioning it as the 24th most valuable airline brand globally, which is valued at $1.93 billion.

The Skytrax World Airline Awards are among the most esteemed honors in the aviation sector. The online survey, conducted from September 2024 to May 2025, gathered over 22.3 million eligible entries from participants across 100 nationalities, featuring more than 325 airlines.

All costs associated with the survey and awards event were covered by Skytrax, with no fees imposed on participating airlines.