Time Magazine named AirAsia’s group chief executive officer Tony Fernandes to the 2015 TIME 100, the magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

“It’s a tremendous honour to be included in Time ’s top 100 list - I was shocked when I first received the news but I am very proud and humbled,” he said in a statement today.

The Time Magazine ’s list, now in its twelfth year, recognises the activism, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals.

“This has been a challenging year but my entire career has been about challenges and with every obstacle, we learn and become even better. I believe we are making forward strides and I am excited about the future,” he said.

This year will be about refocusing attention on the core businesses starting with AirAsia, he said, adding that the airline company was committed to strengthening its core proposition of providing the highest value product and further expanding its network across Asean and beyond.  

“My hope is that the work we do through AirAsia and Tune Group enables and inspires the next generation of Asean entrepreneurs and SME owners and propels them into success,” he said.

He also thanked his staff across all his businesses in AirAsia, Tune Group, QPR and Caterham for their tremendous support and hard work.

With a vision to democratise air travel, Fernandes co-founded AirAsia in 2001 with partner Kamarudin Meranun, purchasing a then loss-making AirAsia from its Malaysian owner for a token RM1 along with debts of RM40 million.

Today, AirAsia is the largest low-cost carrier in Asia, servicing the most extensive network with over 90 destinations.

Within 13 years of operations, AirAsia has carried over 280 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to over 190 with established short-haul operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and India, and long-haul operations in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.  

AirAsia has been named the World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for six consecutive years from 2009-2014.

- Bernama