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Kamarudin Meranun

Datuk Kamarudin bin Meranun is a Malaysian businessman renowned as the co-founder of AirAsia Berhad, which he established in December 2001 alongside Tony Fernandes to pioneer affordable air travel across Asia. With a background in finance, Meranun holds a Diploma in Actuarial Science from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and earned a BSc in Finance (magna cum laude) and an MBA from Central Michigan University between 1986 and 1987. He began his career as a at Arab-Malaysian Merchant Bank from 1988 to 1993, managing high-net-worth clients, before becoming Executive Director of Innosabah Capital Management Sdn Bhd in 1994, later renamed Intrinsic Capital Management Sdn Bhd. Under his , AirAsia transformed from a struggling carrier into a leading low-cost airline, expanding to serve over 130 destinations and pivoting to a digital ecosystem via the during the in 2020. As of November 2025, Meranun serves as Non-Independent Executive Chairman of Capital A Berhad ('s parent company) since March 2018, Executive Chairman of , and Non-Independent Non-Executive Director of , including 's recognition as the World's Best Low-Cost Airline for the 16th consecutive year at the Awards in 2025; he is also co-founder of , with interests in , , and . In recognition of his contributions to Malaysian business, he was awarded the Darjah Panglima Jasa Negara ( title) in November 2013.

Early life and education

Birth and family background

Kamarudin Meranun was born in 1961 in to parents who were migrants from the Minangkabau ethnic group in . His family's heritage traces back to the , an ethnic group originating from , , renowned for their matrilineal and tradition of —temporary for education, work, or trade that fosters independence and adaptability. This cultural practice of shaped the family's relocation to , instilling values of and that defined Minangkabau communities.

Academic achievements

Kamarudin Meranun earned a Diploma in Actuarial Science from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in 1983, establishing a foundational expertise in quantitative risk assessment and financial modeling essential for the insurance sector. In recognition of his exceptional academic performance, he was awarded the Life Insurance Institute of Malaysia Best Actuarial Student honor in 1983, highlighting his proficiency in core actuarial principles such as probability, statistics, and economic forecasting. He later obtained a BSc in (magna cum laude) from in 1986 and an MBA from the same institution in 1987. This actuarial education, which emphasized the application of mathematical tools to financial and economic challenges, reflected Meranun's early inclination toward quantitative finance during his university years.

Business career

Early professional roles

Kamarudin Meranun began his professional career in following his in , which provided a strong foundation for entry into the banking sector. In 1988, he joined Arab-Malaysian as a , where he remained until 1993. In this role, Meranun managed investment portfolios for both institutional and high-net-worth clients, focusing on and performance optimization. His responsibilities included building and maintaining client relationships, which honed his skills in financial advisory and . Through these experiences, he developed expertise in and risk assessment, navigating volatile economic conditions in during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1994, Meranun transitioned to Innosabah Capital Management Sdn Bhd, a of Innosabah Securities Sdn Bhd, where he was appointed . In this position, he provided strategic oversight for operations based in , including investment strategy formulation and executive decision-making for regional financial initiatives. This role further strengthened his capabilities in and high-level management within Malaysia's financial landscape.

Founding AirAsia and Tune Group

In 2001, Kamarudin Meranun co-founded with through Tune Air Sdn Bhd, acquiring the struggling, government-owned airline from for a nominal RM1 despite its RM40 million debt and limited assets of two 737-300 and about 200 staff. This bold move, leveraging Meranun's prior experience in finance, aimed to transform into Asia's first by democratizing air travel for the masses in a region where flying was previously a luxury. The acquisition on 2 December 2001 marked the inception of a no-frills model focused on high utilization, single-class seating, and direct sales to cut costs and pass savings to passengers. Meranun was appointed as a director of on 12 December 2001, playing a key role in the initial strategic decisions to reposition the airline. Under his and ' leadership, launched its rebranded operations with inaugural flights on 15 December 2001, starting domestic routes from to Senai () and Langkawi to connect underserved markets affordably. Early emphasized the existing two narrow-body jets for short-haul , with route prioritizing high-demand intra-Malaysian destinations to build volume and refine the low-cost operations before regional . Simultaneously, Meranun and established Sdn Bhd in late 2001 as a diversified to oversee ventures in , , hospitality, and related sectors, providing a broader to support AirAsia's growth. This structure allowed to incubate synergistic businesses, such as budget accommodations and , aligned with the core vision of accessible travel and lifestyle services.

Leadership in aviation and diversification

Following his role in the 2001 founding of , Kamarudin Meranun advanced to of the airline in January 2004, contributing to its early expansion. In this capacity, he oversaw key operational aspects, including the development of international routes that extended 's network across and beyond. By December 2005, he was re-designated as Group Deputy , where he played a pivotal role in scaling the airline's fleet and route infrastructure to support rapid growth. In 2012, Meranun took on additional responsibilities in financial oversight, including treasury functions, as part of his executive duties at . This positioned him to guide the company's financial strategy amid expanding operations. On November 6, 2013, he was appointed Non-Independent Executive Chairman of Berhad, leading engagements with government and aviation regulators to facilitate further . Meranun extended his leadership to AirAsia's long-haul affiliate in 2015, assuming the role of Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X on January 30. In this position, he directed the strategic development of low-cost long-haul services, focusing on routes to , , and other distant markets to complement AirAsia's short-haul model. Under his guidance, AirAsia X optimized operations for efficiency, emphasizing ancillary revenues and fleet modernization. As co-founder of alongside in 2001, Meranun drove its diversification beyond into complementary sectors. He spearheaded the launch of in 2007, establishing a chain that mirrored AirAsia's low-cost ethos with pay-per-use amenities in key urban locations across . In the insurance domain, Meranun co-led the development of Tune Protect, a digital-focused provider offering and protection products integrated with AirAsia services, with plans for its public listing announced in 2012. Additionally, as a key executive in , he oversaw entry into through Tune Talk, a targeting affordable prepaid plans to capture underserved markets in and the . This multi-sector approach under Meranun's involvement aimed to leverage synergies across , , and , reducing reliance on alone.

Recent developments and other ventures

In 2022, following the rebranding of Group Berhad to Capital A Berhad in January, Datuk Kamarudin bin Meranun continued his role as Non-Independent Executive Chairman, overseeing the company's strategic restructuring efforts in response to the ongoing recovery from the pandemic's impact on the aviation sector. This position built on his longstanding involvement in the group's leadership, guiding Capital A through financial challenges including debt and operational . Under his chairmanship, Capital A secured a significant US$443 million dual-tranche in August 2024, backed by future ticketing receivables, to refinance aircraft leases and bolster liquidity for growth initiatives. By October 2025, key conditions were fulfilled, including a waiver of Thai regulatory requirements on October 17 and the finalization of agreements on October 30, paving the way for the completion of the Proposed Regularisation and Restructuring Plan by year-end and the exit from PN17 status. These milestones marked a critical phase in stabilizing the group's and non-aviation businesses. Beyond aviation, Datuk Kamarudin contributed to the ownership group of Queens Park Rangers F.C. as a board member since 2011, supporting the club's operations and investments until his resignation in May 2022 to focus on core commitments. In another venture, he co-owned Caterham Cars with Tan Sri Tony Fernandes since 2011, overseeing the British sports car manufacturer's activities before its sale to Japan's VT Holdings in March 2021.

Personal life and honours

Family and personal interests

Kamarudin Meranun is married to Datin Siti Munajat Md Ghazali and has five children. He maintains a low public profile on family matters, focusing on privacy amid his professional commitments. Meranun is known as a devoted who integrates family-oriented activities into his routine, such as bringing his wife and children on international work trips to destinations like . His personal interests include enjoying music and participating in religious knowledge-sharing events, which align with his humble and pious character. Residing primarily in , , Meranun emphasizes achieving work-life balance, viewing family time during travels as a vital blessing that complements his demanding schedule.

Awards and recognitions

Kamarudin Meranun received the Life Insurance Institute of Malaysia Best Actuarial Student award in 1983, marking an early academic milestone. In recognition of his contributions to the Malaysian business landscape, Meranun was conferred the Darjah Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN), which carries the title "," by the di-Pertuan Agong on 21 November 2013. Meranun was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 8th Global Leadership Awards in on July 25, 2018, for his pioneering role in transforming the aviation industry through low-cost carriers. Through his leadership at , Meranun has been associated with the airline's multiple accolades, including the World's Leading Low-Cost Airline award at the World Travel Awards in 2013 and 2014, and continued recognition such as the 16th consecutive win as World's Best Low-Cost Airline at the World Airline Awards in 2025.

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