He innovated low cost, long haul aviation by putting Malaysia on global map!

In July 2007, Azran was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X, the world’s first truly low-cost long-haul airline. He led the start-up team that developed the business plan, raised capital, secured relevant licenses and approvals, acquired aircraft and launched AirAsia X’s first inaugural flight to the Gold Coast, Australia in November 2007.

Despite a tumultuous 2008 and 2009 in global aviation, AirAsia X has expanded from one aircraft to nine, tripling revenue and passenger volume to RM750 million and over 1 million passengers in 2009.

AirAsia X now flies to eleven destinations in Australia, Greater China, India, Korea and Europe. AirAsia X operates with the world’s lowest long-haul unit cost and the world’s highest aircraft utilization. Its London route is the longest low-cost flight in service today. AirAsia X has been recognized as the 2008 Best New Airline and jointly awarded the 2009 Airline of the Year award with AirAsia Berhad. Azran has twice been nominated for CEO of the Year award by the World Low Cost Airline Congress in London.

Azran was formerly an Associate Partner of McKinsey & Company, an international management consultancy, where he co-led its Asia Pacific Corporate Finance & Strategy practice. He holds a Masters degree in Management Science and a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, both from Stanford University.

He is 38 years young, a competitive Ultimate Frisbee player, a keen surfer and snowboarder, and has completed several full marathons.

A prolific international speaker, Azran has been invited as one of the Young Leaders at the 2010 World Islamic Economic Forum and represented Malaysia as one of Asia Society’s 2009 Asia 21 Delegates.

Sumber: www.adoimagazine.com