PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
AirAsia X announces leadership changes
SEPANG, 30 January 2015 – The Board of Directors of AirAsia X, today announced the appointment
of Datuk Kamarudin Meranun as Group CEO, AirAsia X and Benyamin Bin Ismail as acting CEO of AirAsia
X Berhad as part of an on-going reorganization exercise.
In this newly created role, Kamarudin will spearhead developing the overarching strategy for the AirAsia
X Group, which encompasses AirAsia X Berhad, AirAsia X Thailand and Indonesia AirAsia Extra.
Benyamin, together with Kamarudin will lead the reorganisation and turnaround exercise to strengthen
the company's balance sheet and to maximise profitability to ensure a stronger financial footing for the
company.
“Over the past few months, we saw the company facing challenges in a difficult environment. After a
thorough review, a decisive turnaround plan was initiated to put the company on substantially better
financial footing to ensure we bring back confidence to the market. With this robust plan in place,
AirAsia X will advance to the next chapter of growth and uphold its leadership position in the long haul,
low cost market. The AirAsia X board and the co-founders including myself are confident in this plan
and we will be executing a rights issue and we will fully underwrite our portion in support of the
company.”
“We have a solid company here and together with Ben, who has a thorough understanding of the
AirAsia and AirAsia X business model and the culture that has made AirAsia a leading airline, I am truly
confident in turning this company around and bringing it to profitable growth. ” said Kamarudin.
On his appointment, Benyamin said, “I am humbled and excited for this opportunity. We will continue
to expand into new markets to build an unbeatable regional network. Combined with the synergy with
the AirAsia network, we will be able to cement our position as the airline of choice across this region.
Under the mentorship of Datuk Kamarudin, my goal is to accelerate our ability to deliver the best
product to our guests, drive confidence and best practices to our Allstars.”
Benyamin joined AirAsia Berhad in 2010, heading up the Investor Relations team and most recently
played the role Group Head of Corporate Development, Implementation and Investor Relations.
PRESS RELEASE
Reporting to the GCEO, he led the group in corporate development, finding strategic opportunities
complementing AirAsia’s airline and non-airline businesses through Mergers and Acquisitions,
investments and special projects. He also managed regional IR, communicating the AirAsia Group
strategy, growth and outlook to the investor community.
AirAsia X would like to confirm Azran Osman-Rani’s cessation from the Chief Executive Officer office
with effect from 30th January 2015.
***END***
About AirAsia X
AirAsia X is the long-haul, low-cost affiliate carrier of the AirAsia Group that currently flies to destinations
in China, Australia, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Nepal and the Middle East. The airline currently serves 19
destinations across Asia (Haneda, Narita, Osaka, Seoul, Busan, Taipei, Xian, Beijing, Hangzhou,
Chengdu, Shanghai, Chongqing, Colombo and Kathmandu), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and
Gold Coast) and the Middle East (Jeddah). AirAsia X currently operates a fleet of 23 Airbus A330-300s,
each with a seat configuration of 12 Business Class seats and 365 Economy seats. The airline has
carried over 12 million guests since it commenced long-haul in 2007. AirAsia X was awarded the World's
Best Low Cost Airline Premium Cabin and Best Low Cost Airline Premium Seat titles for two consecutive
years at the 2014 Skytrax World Airline Awards. Our vision is to further solidify our position as the
global leader in low-cost, long-haul aviation and create the first global multi-hub low-cost carrier
network along with other carriers of the AirAsia Group. AirAsia is the first airline globally to collaborate
with INTERPOL to implement the I-Checkit system to screen the passports of all its prospective
passengers against information contained in the world police body’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents
(SLTD) database.
For further information, MEDIA please contact:
AIRASIA X
Fairuz Majid
My Mobile No
: +6012 679 4513
My Email
: mohdfairuzabdmajid@airasia.com
PRESS RELEASE
My Office No
: +603 8775 4683
Izatun Hanim
My Mobile No
: +6011 111 18028
My Office No
: +603 8775 4789
My Email
: izatunhanim@airasia.com
My Email
: siewhonleong@airasia.com
Eugene Siew
My Mobile No
: +6016 653 8221
My Office No
: +603 8775 4780