See the Career of AirAsia’s CEO Tony Fernandes

INDONESIA-SINGAPORE-ACCIDENT-AIRASIA
Fernandes, center, speaks during a press conference in Surabaya, East Java, on Dec. 28, 2014, following the disappearance of AirAsia flight QZ8501.Juni Kriswanto—AFP/Getty Images
By TIME Staff
FERNANDES
Tony Fernandes, AirAsia's Chief Executive, looks on during an interview at his office in Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia, Aug, 9, 2005. Purchased in December of 2001 by Fernandes, AirAsia pioneered low-cost travel in Asia. Vincent Thian—AP
Tony Fernandes, chief executive officer of Air Asia Berhad,
Fernandes poses for a photo in a Boeing Simulator after the Air Asia annual general meeting held at Kuala Lumpur, Dec. 28, 2006. Goh Seng Chong—Bloomberg/Getty Images
Tony Fernandes
In addition to AirAsia, Fernandes' other ventures include a budget hotel chain, auto racing, and soccer. Here, Fernandes, then Team Lotus Principal, is seen during qualifying for the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 11, 2011 in Montreal.Mark Thompson—Getty Images
Tony Fernandes
In August of 2011, Fernandes became the majority owner of the Queens Park Rangers, an English Premier League soccer team. Here, Fernandes celebrates after his team won the Sky Bet Championship Playoff Final match at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2014 in London.Ben Hoskins—Getty Images
Tony Fernandes, Sir Richard Branson Attends AirAsia Cocktail Party
Fernandes and Sir Richard Branson at an AirAsia Cocktail Party in Perth, Australia, May 11, 2013. Fernandes' public persona has often been likened to that of Branson--and the two are in fact friends. Branson dressed as an AirAsia flight attendant after losing a bet with Fernandes on which of their 2010 Formula One racing car teams would finish ahead of the other. Matt Jelonek—WireImage/Getty Images
INDONESIA-SINGAPORE-ACCIDENT-AIRASIA
Fernandes, center, speaks during a press conference in Surabaya, East Java, on Dec. 28, 2014, following the disappearance of AirAsia flight QZ8501.Juni Kriswanto—AFP/Getty Images

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