AirAsia boss to leave?

AirAsia boss to leave?

Iconic AirAsia chief executive officer, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has dropped hintsthat he may leave as the supremo of the budget airline.

Without giving the exact timeline, he saysthe company can expect a new leadership soon.

Fernandes, the brain behind the frills-free carriers' meteoric rise, hinted at his departure duringthe airline's 10th anniversary celebrations on Thursday.

When asked on where AirAsia will be in the next 10 years, he said: "Next 10 years will be a new CEO, my time is coming to an end soon.

"Yes, all three of us (chairman Datuk Aziz Bakar and deputy chief executive Officer Datuk Kamaruddin Meranun) will have to go together."

Fernandes said leadership was all about change and about bringing new people on board.

"Yes. We are coming to a point where there will be a leadership change. It's inevitable. A good leadership is to know when to go and to refresh the organisation with young and energetic leaders," he said.

Asked what he intends to do after leaving AirAsia, Fernandes joked, saying "I plan to open a low-cost television."

On a serious note, he said: "No. The three of us have plenty of things to do."

Fernandes, however, said he has not identified a potential successor, but hinted that it would be an internal change. He said the new leadership will have to keep up with the airline's aspirations such as keeping the airfares low and to explore most of the Asian region.

In the latest development, Fernandeshas denied he will resign as the head of the budget airline.

He tweeted on Thursday evening on the micro-blogging site to dismiss an earlier news report that he was going soon.

All I said is next 10 years we must prepare for new leadership and my time is coming up soon.

First a CEO for Malaysia and I focus on group functions as group CEO. Good leadership is to! prepare for succession. Not going anytime soon though.

Source: Bernama, Twitter
Published Dec 8 2011