Tony Fernandes

At 59 years old, Tony Fernandes physical status not available right now. We will update Tony Fernandes's height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, and measurements.

Career

He spent a short time as an auditor for Virgin Atlantic before becoming the financial controller for Richard Branson's Virgin Communications in London from 1987 to 1989 before joining Warner Music International London as Senior Financial Analyst.

Fernandes was accepted as an Associate Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in 1991 and later became a Fellow in 1996. He is now a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Fernandes, a Warner Music executive in Malaysia, and Vice President of ASEAN at Warner Music South East Asia from December 1999 to July 2001.

Fernandes was left homeless as Time Warner (now WarnerMedia) announced its merger with America Online, fulfilling his aspiration to launch a no-frills airline.

Fernandes purchased AirAsia in September 2001 and became its CEO.

Fernandes came to visit with then Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in October 2001 through Datuk Pahamin A. Rejab, the former Malaysian Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry's former secretary-general.

Mahathir suggested Fernandes to purchase an existing airline rather than starting from scratch. AirAsia, Malaysia's state-owned conglomerate, was the heavily indebted affiliate of DRB-Hicom, which was losing money. Fernandes mortgaged his house and borrowed money to buy the company, which included two Boeing 737-300 jet jets and debts of US$11 million (about 26 US cents), and transformed it into a company player. AirAsia had broken even and cleared all of its debts one year after it was taken over. By 130 percent, the first public offering (IPO) of the company in November 2004 was oversubscribed by 130 percent.

Fernandes maintains that his timing was perfect: after the 11 September 2001 attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., aircraft leasing rates dropped by 40%. In addition, airline layoffs meant that qualified employees were always on hand. He predicted that Malaysian travelers would adopt a low-rate air service that would save them time and money, particularly in a tight market. According to Fernandes, 50% of the passengers on Asia's budget airlines are first-time flyers. He estimated that only six percent of Malaysians had ever traveled by air before the invention of AirAsia.

He was also instrumental in lobbying late-Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in mid-2003 to advocate for open skies agreements with neighboring Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore. As a result, these nations have granted landing rights to AirAsia and other discount carriers. Fernandes' greatest achievement was to welcome new budget carriers into the region, which previously did not have open-skies agreements. As a result, Dr Mahathir entertained the prospect with officials from neighboring countries and was then granted landing rights to AirAsia and other discount carriers.

AirAsia has a minority interest in the respective local companies in Thailand and Indonesia. In its first year of operations, Thai AirAsia, a joint venture with Shin Corporation, Thailand's top telecommunication conglomerate, took to the skies in February 2004 and has to date carried over 1 million passengers. On December 8, 2004, PT Awair was relaunched as a low fare airline and later renamed Indonesia AirAsia. The airline now serves 5 domestic destinations in Indonesia.

Fernandes revealed in 2018 that more low-cost carrier terminals would be built, and that, although AirAsia needed new planes, he had yet to decide on a plane maker.

Fernandes' plans to expand include bidding on the operation and maintenance contracts for Clark International Airport in the Philippines.

Fernandes resigned as CEO of AirAsia in February 2020 as a result of the investigation into Airbus bribery charges. Fernandes was reinstated as CEO of AirAsia a month after the Government's Serious Fraud Office ruled out any wrongdoing.

Fernandes founded Tune Hotels in 2007, based on the no frills model. It has properties in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Far East.

He served on the International Advisory Board of Global March to Jerusalem in March 2012, which aims to "mobilize the international community in solidarity with Palestinians and protect Jerusalem." Fernandes and others issued a joint statement, which was signed by several members of the Board.

In 2013, he hosted the first season of The Apprentice Asia, the Asian spin-off of The Apprenticeship show The Apprentice, in which a group of young businesspeople compete for the chance to work with Fernandes. However, Chappel Bostong's founder, chairman, and CEO will take his place in 2021's second season.

The Malaysian Youth and Sports Ministry appointed him as the head of Malaysia Stadium Corporation (MSC) in 2018.

In 2020, he returned to food delivery as COVID-19 has been a stumbling block on Air Asia.

Fernandes is the founder of the Caterham F1 Formula One team, which began racing in 2010 as Lotus Racing and then competed as Team Lotus. Caterham F1 was sold to a Swiss and Middle Eastern consortium on July 2nd, 2014.

Fernandes accepted Richard Branson's "challenge" on December 16, 2009, a fellow airline boss and the sponsor of Lotus' fellow F1 newcomers Virgin Racing. For a day disguised as a stewardess, the losing team's boss will work on the winner's airline. "The sexier the better," Fernandes mused. Our guests will be delighted to be welcomed by a Knight of the Realm, but knowing Richard, the biggest challenge will be to stop him from asking our guests, 'coffee, tea, or me?' That could be scary." In addition, the team produced a poster depicting Branson in an Air Asia uniform. However, the flight was delayed several times: first due to Branson's leg injury, then due to the royal wedding, and finally due to a fire at Necker Island. Branson would honour his bet in May 2013, according to Fernandes on December 19, 2012. Branson was eventually honoured on May 13th, 2013.

In the GP2 Series, Caterham Racing, a Fernandes product, competed. Tony Fernandes sold the team to Teddy Yip Jr. in October 2014 and the team was moved to Silverstone to merge with Status Grand Prix.

Fernandes reported on Saturday that his company had purchased Caterham Cars.

Fernandes is a fan of West Ham United and was involved in talks regarding a potential takeover of the club in May 2011, at which point it seemed that he would have a 51% stake in the club. Former West Ham chairman Andrew Bernhardt returned to Kuala Lumpur to try and finalize the contract, but the two sides were unable to decide on the price. Fernandes made another bid to buy 51% of the club, but co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold declined his bid just one month later. "He wanted 51% of the club for two bob," Sullivan told the Evening Standard. On Twitter, Sullivan's words sparked a war of words. "It was a good bid with good funds and brought in good people," Fernandes said. "Gold and Sullivan can say whatever they please." I have been a lifelong fan, and this may have given me a lot of money, smart ideas, younger people, and a new perspective. As for PR stunts, there are PR stunts to worry about. Wow, what awesome is. They are all in the press making big claims. Were not supposed to be in Europe? We have been demoted once more. Two executives were fired. All good players will be sold. I don't have a new training ground as the most important component. A look at how many injuries we have. And more money is being invested in the academy."

Fernandes was announced as their majority shareholder on August 18, 2011 just three months after Queens Park Rangers' promotion to the Premier League following a 15-month absence following a 15-month absence. He was also appointed chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd.

Although Neil Warnock remained as the club's boss after their return to the top-flight, a string of eight Premier League games without a victory eventually resulted in his dismissal. Mark Hughes was quickly appointed as his replacement, after committing to a two-and-a-year contract in the process. Despite QPR's poor run of form, which left them fighting for Premier League survival on the final day of the 2011-2012 season. Bolton Wanderers wanted to win if they were to win, but QPR were secure after losing 3–2 to Manchester City due to Sergio Agüero's injury-time victory, which took the Premier League title from arch-rivals Manchester United on goal difference.

Mark Hughes steered the club into the 2012-2013 season, but Fernandes fired Hughes after four points from 12 games and without a single victory - one of the worst starts in Premier League history. On November 24, Fernandes fired former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, but even then he was unable to assist QPR in any way. Both teams were relegated to the Championship following a goalless draw with relegation rivals Reading on April 28, 2013.

Fernandes, who was relegated back to the Championship just one week after Rangers' return to the Championship, said he had been exploited since he took over at Loftus Road. "I don't think I'll be exploited any more," the club's founder said after investing £50 million. I think I allowed myself to be exploited, but that was my choice. Agents are seeking the best deals, and there are no two ways to do it; I had to pay premiums to get them. I've seen all of the football parts, although perhaps immoral is a strong word, but I'd be able to convince their grandmother to do something. It's all part of the football ecosystem."

Fernandes said in an interview that if he was unable to "fix" the club's problems, he would leave the team. Fernandes admitted to making several mistakes in a 2017 interview, but also stated that much had been accomplished. He restored the former QPR badge and colours and linked more with the local community near Loftus Road. Fernandes' tenure was "close to coming to an end" in August 2018. A change was made on August 15, 2018. He wanted to step down and hand over the post of co-chairman to vice chairman Amit Bhatia.

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