In a surprise move, Tony Fernandes has resigned as the acting group
chief executive of low-cost carrier AirAsiaX “with immediate effect”,
less than four months after he was appointed to the role.
His resignation was “due to other commitments”, according to the airline’s filing to the Kuala Lumpur exchange.
Fernandes stepped into the role in July following the resignation of the company's previous chief executive, Nadda Buranasiri.
Fernandes, 58, remains chief executive of Capital A, an affiliate of
AirAsia X that oversees operations of budget carrier AirAsia and other
entities.
AirAsia X said Mahmood Fawzy, its chairman, would oversee the
airline’s strategic direction in addition to taking on a role of
director at its Thai associate airline, Thai AirAsia X.
Fernandes said he is leaving AirAsiaX in good shape. “I went in with a
clear mandate to restart AirAsiaX and bring it back to life from
hibernation. I am happy that this has been accomplished with a very
edifying plan for 20 aircraft for the AAX Group — 13 aircraft for AAX
and seven for Thai AAX,” he added.