KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — AirAsia Bhd has re-designated Non-Independent Non-Executive Director, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, as Non-Independent Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.

In a statement today, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aireen Omar, said Kamarudin would take the lead in engaging with the government, aviation regulators and airport authorities in Malaysia.

“He replaces Datuk Aziz Bakar, who remains on the board as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director.

“Kamarudin has spent more than a decade building AirAsia into the world’s largest low-cost carrier and I look forward to the industry experience he will bring as chair of the board,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has been re-designated as Group CEO and Non-Independent Executive Director following the recent merging of the regional office’s group functions back into AirAsia.    

As Group CEO, Fernandes will provide overall leadership to the group in driving brand value, reducing cost and driving efficiencies to improve performance of the airline and other affiliates within the AirAsia network including Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and soon to be India. — Bernama