SEPANG, April 24, 2024 -- Photo Caption: (From left to right) Dato' Fam Lee Ee, Chairman of AirAsia X; Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Advisor and Steward at AirAsia Aviation Group; Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, Chairman of AirAsia Aviation Group
AirAsia Aviation Group (“the Group”) has announced the appointment of Tan Sri Tony Fernandes as an Advisor and Steward to its Group Chief Executive Officer, as the airline Group embarks on a new era of transformation and growth.
As the co-founder of AirAsia, which is widely acknowledged as the best low-cost airline in the world for the past 14 consecutive years, the Board of Directors at AirAsia Aviation Group unanimously approved Tony’s appointment, based on his exceptional entrepreneurial track record and unparalleled expertise in the aviation industry.
Having built a market-leading airline, starting with just two planes to become one of the world's largest low cost carriers places Tony favourably to advise the Group, especially in scaling its airline recovery and growth strategy amid global headwinds such as rising fuel costs, hyper-competition, and a volatile economic climate. His insights and guidance were acknowledged to be crucial as AirAsia looks to grow its business profitably across the globe while maintaining its core value of affordability, propelling the Group towards its vision of becoming a leading, well-governed global airline.
Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, Chairman of AirAsia Aviation Group said: “As we embark on a new era for our airline Group, Tony's visionary leadership, exceptional entrepreneurial ability, global industry knowledge and relationships, will not only ensure continuity but also will assist in the next significant transformation phase. This is integral as we prepare AirAsia Aviation Group to become the overarching leading regional aviation provider for the best value for short, medium and longer-haul routes spanning Asia and beyond.
In brief
AirAsia Aviation Group says its board has unanimously appointed co-founder Tan Sri Tony Fernandes as an Advisor and Steward to the Group CEO. The appointment comes as the airline group works on recovery, expansion and succession planning. Chairman Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim said Fernandes will provide strategic guidance and connect Capital A with the aviation business, while continuing discussions with stakeholders including tourism and government representatives, lessors, bankers and suppliers. Group CEO Bo Lingam said near-term priorities include building the network, improving connectivity and enhancing the guest experience. Fernandes said the group’s expansion plans include using more than 300 new-specification, longer-range, low-emissions aircraft on order to extend its reach. He also said his Capital A role would help pursue opportunities across aviation and related digital businesses.
Key takeaways
- AirAsia Aviation Group appointed co-founder Tony Fernandes as an Advisor and Steward to its Group CEO.
- The role includes guidance on expansion and succession planning, and coordination between Capital A and the aviation business.
- The group says its near-term focus is airline recovery, network growth, connectivity and the guest experience.
- Fernandes cited more than 300 aircraft on order as part of the group’s plans to expand its reach.
“In his new role Tony will not only provide strategic oversight to AirAsia Aviation Group, including expansion and succession planning, he will also be the key conduit between Capital A and the aviation business ecosystem to ensure all mutual opportunities are leveraged for maximum benefit. In addition, Tony will continue ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders including tourism and government, lessors, bankers and suppliers including Airbus and GE.”
Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group said: “Without a doubt, there is no one more fitting to assume the role of our strategic Advisor for the airline Group, as we set our sights on growing to new heights with significant plans for the future. Tony’s extraordinary vision and drive will ensure we can deliver on our strategy to become the most popular and profitable value-driven airline Group in the region and beyond.
“In the short term, we remain focused on our airline recovery and growth strategy - to build the most incredible network that can’t be surpassed. This will be achieved by putting the right foundations in place to provide greater connectivity at the best price, alongside an enhanced guest experience which will ultimately drive stronger shareholder value.”
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Advisor and Steward at AirAsia Aviation Group said: “I am excited about what the future holds for AirAsia Aviation Group. With our robust airline expansion strategy, we will be able to soar to greater heights as a formidable combined force in our category, with enhanced connectivity and greater flexibility with the added ability to look to fly to places we have never flown before in the future.
“Value, inclusivity, innovation and serving the underserved are key cornerstones of the AirAsia brand. As an airline Group with over 300 new specification, longer range, low emissions aircraft on order, we will be able to look to cover the majority of continents, including also Europe, Africa and the US, ensuring we are always flying profitably with great value fares.
“At the same time, as CEO of Capital A, this appointment will enable me to not only oversee my strong senior leadership team in aviation but to also ensure maximum leverage opportunities with our digital ecosystems we focus on becoming the leading aviation, engineering, cargo, logistics and travel platform of choice for everyone - not only in Asean where our foothold is strongest, but across the globe in the future. ”
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Questions around this news
What will Tony Fernandes do as strategic advisor to the aviation group?
Fernandes was appointed Advisor and Steward to the Group CEO. The release says his responsibilities include strategic oversight, expansion and succession planning, and serving as a link between Capital A and the aviation business ecosystem. He is also expected to continue discussions with stakeholders such as tourism and government bodies, aircraft lessors, bankers and suppliers.
What are AirAsia Aviation Group’s stated priorities for recovery and growth?
The Group says it is focused on rebuilding and growing its airline operations by developing a strong network, improving connectivity and offering competitive fares. It also identifies an enhanced guest experience as part of its approach. The release says the wider aim is profitable growth while retaining affordability as a central value.
What does the release say about the group’s aircraft and future routes?
Fernandes said the airline group has more than 300 new-specification, longer-range, lower-emissions aircraft on order. He said these aircraft could support service to a wider range of destinations, including in Europe, Africa and the United States, and make it possible to consider places the group has not previously served.
How is Tony Fernandes connected to Capital A?
Fernandes is Capital A’s CEO as well as the newly appointed advisor and steward to the aviation group’s CEO. The release describes his new role as a way to connect Capital A with the aviation business ecosystem and to pursue opportunities involving the group’s digital businesses and its aviation, engineering, cargo, logistics and travel activities.
