Malaysia's AirAsia has appointed Aireen Omar to head its local operations as founder Tony Fernandes relocates to its new Asean office in Jakarta to focus on regional growth plans.

Omar, formerly the carrier's regional head of corporate finance and treasury, will hold the posts of director and chief executive, effective 1 July.

Fernandes, meanwhile, will relinquish his post as chief executive and assume the title of non-executive director. The airline's deputy group chief executive and president of group finance Kamarudin Meranun will also be redesignated as non-executive director.

The changes will take effect on 30 June.

AirAsia is restructuring its management to focus on regional growth and has set up a regional base in Jakarta.

The carrier had earlier said that AirAsia Asean will provide it with "an environment free of pressures of day-to-day operations" and the necessary "firefighting", allowing its senior managers "the space, time and interaction" vital to keep the carrier flying high in its second decade of operations.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news

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