Chairman Rafidah Aziz steps down from AirAsia X

AirAsia X (AAX), the medium to long-haul affiliate airline of AirAsia Aviation Group, has confirmed Rafidah Aziz’s (pictured) resignation as senior independent non-executive chairman. Her resignation will be effective 1 July.

Rafidah was first appointed as an independent non-executive director and chairman of the board in 2011 and was re-designated as a senior independent non-executive chairman upon the listing of the company in 2013. Rafidah explained that she will be 79 this year and will have served her term allowed as an independent director. “I would then need to comply with the change in status from independent to non-independent board member and the other ensuing requirements,” she said. Hence, she had decided to resign from her position.

According to Rafidah, she was personally invited by Tony Fernandes, chief executive officer, Capital A and founder of AAX, and Kamarudin Meranun, executive chairman, Capital A and founder of AAX, to be the chairman of AAX long before it was listed. She is also the chairman of the nomination and remuneration committee as well as the risk management committee of the board and the safety review board of the company. 

Rafidah added: “I feel AAX should appoint new people to the board to take the company forward, especially after the restructuring exercise. It has been a very good experience for me, having developed so many friendships with the Allstars at all levels, which I will always cherish.” 

Fernandes said: “As an incredible trailblazer in so many ways, she was a rock and my backbone during the ups and downs of AirAsia and importantly, a friend and mentor for my own personal life. She was always there to give support and did not hold back in sharing her sharp insights.” He added that he is sure that AAX will continue to seek guidance and wisdom from Aziz.

Meranun added: “As a pioneer of championing equality, women’s rights and welfare for developing nations to name a few, she epitomises what the AirAsia brand will always stand for - aspiring everyone to be the best they can be no matter where you come from.”

AAX had also unveiled a new logo alongside the resumption of operations after its two-year hiatus and restructuring exercise. The previous logo had a red "X" with the words "AirAsia" on it. The latest one shows the word "AirAsia" within a red circle with an "X". Capital A's chief brand officer, Rudy Khaw, told A+M that the new branding strategy marks a new era for AirAsia X and aligns with the larger AirAsia Aviation Group of airlines within the ecosystem of Capital A.

Capital A came about when AirAsia Group rebranded the group holding company earlier this year. The name change reflects the Group’s new core business strategy as an investment holding company with a portfolio of synergistic travel and lifestyle businesses, which have rapidly transformed the AirAsia brand into much more than just an airline. 

Separately, in the super app scene, airasia Super App rolled out the airasia pocket a few weeks ago, an e-wallet within the super app that enables users to reload and make payments for all the products and services on the app while being rewarded at the same time. 

Related articles:
AirAsia X refreshes branding as it resumes ops after 2-year hiatus
PR professionals laud Tony Fernandes for defending AirAsia pilot
AirAsia Group rebrands to Capital A to reflect new biz strategy
airasia Super App expands into e-wallet scene
airasia launches one-stop-shop travel and lifestyle app in PH