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AIRASIA X, The World’s BestLow Cost Airline,now has the Best Performing Route Planning Team in the World

AIRASIA Xcontinues to set global standards andbecomesfirst airline globally to win theinaugural“BEST NETWORK PERFORMANCE”award atWORLD ROUTES AWARDS2011

Kuala Lumpur, 10October 2011–AirAsia X, the first truly long-haul low fareairline in Asia,added another award to its fastexpandinglist of global recognition by bagging the“Best Network Performance” by an airline route planning teamat the World Routes Awards 2011. The award ceremony washeld at the site of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt.

The award is the first global award of its kind for route planning by an airline.

The prestige of the World Routes Awards is largely due to the fact that these widely sought after awards are solely nominated by the best people in judging the effectiveness of network performance -the airline networking planning community.

AirAsia X was the only airline from Asia shortlisted for the “The Best Network Performance” award category, and other nominees included Brussels Airlines, Air France-KLM and Delta Airlines. Subsequent tothe nomination, the award selection was decided by a panel of judges from the airline industry, based on a submission by nominated airlines.

Airlines are evaluated on their ability to demonstrate excellence in the field of Network Planning through efficient network management to deliver a strong shareholder return on the airlines assets and developing a clear network strategybased on the effectiveness of the airlines network performance.

Other criteria’sinclude identifying new emerging markets, maximising fleet utilization to deliver maximum return on the aircraft and developing strong partnerships with key stakeholders that attractstrong support packages from tourism authorities and airports.

Senthil Balan, Head of Route Planning and Regulatory Affairs of AirAsia Xwho accepted the award on behalf of AirAsiaX in Berlin said,“ AirAsia X is honoured to receive this award considering this is only the 4thyear AirAsiaX have been in operationat the very first time this award is launched.

He adds, “This award for route planning is testimony of the passion, dedication and drive of everyone at AirAsia Xin driving our growth since our inception in 2007. This award is also not just a winfor AirAsiaX, butglobal recognition of theLong-Haul Low-Cost Carrier business, which AirAsiaX has successfully pioneered in Asia, creating a Blue Ocean business model than has put Malaysia at the forefront of aviation innovation globally. “

AirAsia X says its award submission highlighted a number of routeinitiatives, including the success of the six-month old Kuala Lumpur-Christchurch route,which has seen a significant jump in Malaysian tourist growth to New Zealand.

**END*

About AirAsia and AirAsia X

AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with approximately 139routes. Within 10 years of operations, AirAsia has carried over 100 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to approximately 107. The airline today is proud to be a truly ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines servicing a network stretching across all ASEAN countries, China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia. This is further complemented by AirAsia X, its long-haul low fare affiliate carrier that currently flies to destinations in China, India, Australia, Taiwan¸ Iran, Korea, UK, Japan, France and New Zealand. AirAsia was named the World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for three consecutive years (2009, 2010, and 2011).

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