Tony Fernandes

Tan Sri Anthony Francis Fernandes PSM, CBE is a Malaysian entrepreneur. He is currently the CEO of Capital A, an investment holding company with a diverse portfolio of synergistic businesses, including aviation, fintech BigPay, and logistics venture Teleport.

He is the founder of Tune Air Sdn. Bhd., which took over the first Malaysian budget airline, AirAsia. Fernandes turned AirAsia, a failing government-linked commercial airline, into a highly successful budget airline public-listed company. He has since founded the Tune Group of companies. He is the owner of Caterham Group, the parent company of British car manufacturer Caterham Cars. Until July 2023, he was the majority shareholder of Queens Park Rangers F.C.

Under Fernandes's leadership, the fledgling airline, which started with a RM40 million debt, became a thriving business. The airline repaid all debts and achieved profitability from the first day of operation. In less than 3 years, AirAsia grew from two modest Boeing 737-300 aircraft to 30 and subsequently expanded to operate over 100 daily flights from hubs in KLIA, Johor Bahru, Bangkok, and Jakarta. His visionary approach led to AirAsia pioneering the low-cost carrier model in Asia, significantly transforming the air travel industry in the region.

Recognized for his unique leadership and entrepreneurial skills, Fernandes frequently speaks on the growing business market in India and Southeast Asia, advocating that employee prioritization, creativity, and innovation in business are essential for success. His recognition extends through numerous accolades, including being named Businessman of the Year by Forbes Asia in 2010, and appearing on the 2015 TIME 100 list, underscoring his impact on a global scale. His contributions have been acknowledged with prestigious awards such as the Commander of the Order of the British Empire and the Commander of the Legion d’Honneur for his substantial contributions to the economy of France through the aviation industry.