AviationGeeks.com - Tony Fernandes

Tony Fernandes started his career in aviation with a brief stint at Virgin Atlantic as an auditor and later as a financial controller. Tony soon moved into the music industry were he spent over a decade, first with Virgin Records before ending his music career as a VP of Warner Music Group in South East Asia.

Name: Tony Fernandes

Born: 30^th of April, 1964

Place of Birth: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Occupation: CEO of AirAsia

Net worth: $230 million

Education: Finance, London School of Economics

AirAsia is similar to RyanAir of Europe as it was the first airline to implement ticketless travel and unassigned seats in Asia. Air Asia offer low ticket price by charging extra for things as meals, seat selection and baggage. AirAsia was awarded the world´s best low cost airline at World Airline Awards. Its main hub is Kuala Lumpur International Airport with secondary hubs in Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Senai International Airport and Penang International Airport which are all located in Malaysia.

AirAsia was originally founded in 1993, with first flight in 1996, by the government owned DRB Hicom. Tony acquired the company in 2001 for 1 ringgit ($0.26). With the airline he received 2 Boeing 737 and $11 million in debt. Within one year, Tony had cleared the debts and the airline was breaking even.

Other businesses Tony is involved in include the Lotus Racing Formula One racing team and he has been linked to a take-over bid for West ham United Football Club, which he supporter of.

Tony Fernandes has received several awards for accomplishment such as Malaysian CEO of the Year in 2003, Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young, and Business Week's 25 Stars of Asia.