Guangzhou, 10 August 2020 - Asia’s leading low-cost carrier, AirAsia has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to China during the Covid-19 pandemic through a ‘Premium Selected Social Responsibility Pioneer Airlines of The Year’ award at the 2020 Premium Travel Awards last Friday. 

The airline was voted best in the social responsibility excellence category for the significant role it played to assist the community in China during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan, AirAsia has leveraged its strong network in Asia Pacific to transport critical medical and protective supplies such as face masks, gloves and other protective materials, as well as helping organisations and individuals worldwide who donated humanitarian goods and equipment to frontliners in China.

CEO of AirAsia Group Tony Fernandes said, “We are deeply honoured to receive this award. Our heart is with China and we are humbled to see that our small assistance actually contributed to the efforts in combating Covid-19 by the Chinese government and frontline fighters. The principle of sustainable development, focusing on the essence of corporate development and fulfilling corporate social responsibilities has always run through AirAsia’s strategy and business. I would like to dedicate this award to our Allstars in China and across the Group who have worked hard and dedicated themselves to this noble cause.”

“This is testament to our strong and unwavering commitment to China and its people. We aspire to grow together and contribute to the country’s economic development especially in the aviation and tourism sectors. The pandemic may have slowed us but our spirit and passion will keep us going by exploring new and exciting business opportunities.”

AirAsia has developed its very own lifestyle and travel platform, AirAsia.com that has become Asia’s fastest-growing super app, providing consumers with a wide array of services from air tickets of both AirAsia and other airlines, to accommodation, e-shopping, financial, food and beverages, logistics and much more. 

Throughout the pandemic, AirAsia has been proactively assessing the situation and responding to prevention efforts. Working with governments, organisations and private corporations, AirAsia has operated 22 repatriation and cargo flights between China and ASEAN countries bringing people home to be with their families during this difficult period and transporting more than 20 tons of medical materials to the frontlines. 

In recognition of the untiring contributions of frontliners during the pandemic, AirAsia launched its ‘Red Boarding Pass’ programme to enable the unsung heroes spend a much-deserved holiday at their destination of choice in South East Asia when international leisure travel resumes.

Being a regional player, AirAsia looks forward to resuming its international services soon, subject to government approvals. The airline has been fully supporting the formation of ‘travel bubbles’ and ‘green lanes’ between countries with low infection rates or active cases, and proven pandemic curbing systems. 

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About AirAsia

AirAsia is a leading travel and financial platform company in Asia Pacific, providing air transport, travel and lifestyle services, as well as financial services. AirAsia started as a low-cost carrier with operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, India and Japan, and has carried more than 600 million guests to over 150 destinations in its network across Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the US. Recognised for its world-class service, the airline has been named Skytrax World’s Best Low-Cost Airline 11 years in a row from 2009 to 2019 and World Travel Awards World's Leading Low-Cost Airline for seven consecutive years from 2013 to 2019. AirAsia has since embarked on a transformation journey to become more than just an airline, with the inclusion of hotels, holidays, activities and online shopping on its travel and lifestyle platform airasia.com, integrated logistics through Teleport and digital financial services via its money app, BigPay. Follow AirAsia on Facebook (AirAsia), Twitter (@AirAsia), Instagram (@airasia), YouTube (AirAsia), Weibo (@亚航之家) and WeChat (亚洲航空).

About Premium Travel Awards

The 2020 Premium Travel Awards is sponsored by the Guangzhou Daily and Hehemu Culture. Being held for the 4th year, it is acknowledged as an authoritative industry award that connects tourism and lifestyle. Every category is named by a selection committee comprising travel and tourism professionals, media, and consumers in mainland China.