AirAsia is Malaysia's largest low-cost carrier and one of the most prominent budget airlines in Asia. Founded in 1993 and relaunched under Tony Fernandes in 2001, it transformed regional air travel by making flying accessible to millions of passengers across Southeast Asia and beyond. The airline operates an extensive network spanning destinations across Asia, Australia, and beyond, with affiliated carriers in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, India, and Japan operating under the AirAsia brand. Its ultra-low-cost model focuses on ancillary revenue, high aircraft utilization, and point-to-point routes. AirAsia has consistently won the Skytrax World's Best Low-Cost Airline award multiple times and has played a significant role in democratizing air travel across Southeast Asia.