AirAsia stands tall among peers

Amid the global economic downturn, when most of the global carriers faced turbulent times and witnessed dwindling passenger traffic, the low-profile budget airline AirAsia has managed to stand tall over its bigger rivals.

AirAsia has never had it so good. It business has been soaring with strong passenger numbers, while corporate business has gone up nearly 400 percent as companies are looking for cheaper transport solutions.

Nothing personifies the carrier's success more than its dapper and suave 45-year-old Malaysian Indian Chief Executive Tony Fernandes.