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.

To-date, AirAsia X has rapidly expanded its network to Perth and Melbourne in Australia, Hangzhou (Shanghai) and Tianjin (Beijing) in China, and London – breaking many long-haul airline conventions and pioneering various innovative services. Even with its nascent aircraft fleet, 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. Despite a lot of initial skepticism from industry observers, AirAsia X achieved positive operating cashflow in less than six months, ratcheted up over RM400 million in sales in its first year, and began operating with positive net profitability by the end of 2008.

AirAsia X is an associate of AirAsia Berhad, the public-listed largest low-cost airline in Asia. Through common shareholding, a long-term brand license agreement and shared services and resources, AirAsia X is able to capitalize on the strength of AirAsia’s global brand, unparalleled short-haul feeder network in Southeast Asia, and scale benefits from shared operations.

Prior to his appointment, Azran was formerly the Senior Director of Business Development for Astro All Asia Networks plc, a leading Asian digital satellite television and radio broadcaster, where he led the start-up and operational launch of Astro’s international investments and joint ventures across Southeast Asia, India and Greater China – having oversight management responsibility for a portfolio of over US$300 million invested in these businesses.

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 37 years young, a competitive Ultimate Frisbee player, a keen surfer and will try any extreme physical sports challenge.