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Published: Saturday November 28, 2009 MYT 5:07:00 PM
Updated: Saturday November 28, 2009 MYT 7:15:43 PM

Tony Fernandes named Airline CEO of 2009

By NURBAITI HAMDAN

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes has been named the Airline CEO of the Year 2009 by Jane’s Transport Finance magazine in London.

The Britain-based publication, a provider of market intelligence and integrated solutions to the transport, public safety, defense, security and law enforcement sectors in more than 180 countries, gives awards annually to outstanding achievers in the airline, airport, rail, road and shipping sectors.

“The award recognises Fernandes’s vision and AirAsia’s success in the toughest airline market in decades,” the publication said on Friday.

In a statement Saturday, Fernandes attributed his win to his workforce of 6,500 and the airline’s culture of innovation.

“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 while aggressively and smartly marketing our brand,” he added.

AirAsia currently has 82 aircrafts that fly 120 routes to more than 60 destinations across Asia.

The airline has flown more than 75 million guests in less than eight years.