Best Asian Budget Airlines

“Aviation is for the common man. My goal is to enable everyone to fly. It shouldn’t be only for the rich.” Tony Fernandes Founder of Airasia

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA Airasia

A heavily indebted Airasia was bought by Malaysian entrepreneurs Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun in 2001 for just one ringgit (around 25 US cents). By the following year, the partners had turned the company’s USD10 million debt into a profit, and today, Airasia flies 174 planes to over 18 countries. The airline has been lauded as the world’s best low-cost carrier for 11 years in a row in international travel and airline awards.

GURGAON, INDIA Indigo

Founded in 2006, Indigo quickly surpassed flag carrier Air India and now enjoys a 40-percent share of the Indian market. It is also the largest low-cost carrier in Asia. With its simple tagline “on time”, Indigo has placed a great emphasis on punctuality and seems to have delivered on that promise. In 2015, Indigo broke records when it made the largest single order of Airbus aircraft – some 250 A320neo planes worth USD27 billion.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Jetstar Airways

Founded in 2003, Jetstar is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas, created in response to the threat posed by low-cost airline Virgin Blue. In 2006, Jetstar became the first Australian airline to allow customers to select their seat upon booking, marking a milestone and a guide for other carriers to follow.

SINGAPORE Scoot

Scoot is the low-cost airline established by the Singapore Airlines Group after its announcement to create a low-cost subsidiary airline for medium- and long- haul routes. It commenced operations in 2012, and by 2017, it had also absorbed Tigerair. Its iconic bright white and yellow aircraft fly to more than 60 destinations in 17 countries.