PARIS – AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes has been conferred the title of Officier of the Legion d’ Honneur by the French government for his contributions to the aviation industry.
Dominique Bussereau, secretary of state for transport, conferred the title on the AirAsia boss in a ceremony held in Paris attended by some of the biggest names in European business.
Officier of the Legion d’ Honneur is the highest rank of honour that the government of France can award to a non-French citizen.
Napoleon Bonaparte established the Legion d’ Honneur in 1802 to recognise outstanding service to France.
AirAsia has contributed largely to the French and European economies by supporting the European-owned and Toulouse-based Airbus operation.
AirAsia has placed firm orders of Airbus aircraft including 175 A320, 25 A330 and 10 A350 aircraft. AirAsia also has an option to purchase 50 more A320 and five more A350 aircraft.
In eight years, AirAsia has grown its fleet from two aircraft to 92, its staff from 250 to 7,000, and its routes from one to more than 132.
