How It Started

It Started With A Dream

From our beginnings as AirAsia, a modern-day fairytale airline that has become an industry legend to now Capital A, the leading digital travel and lifestyle services group in Asean, it all started in 2001 when five men – Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun, Aziz Bakar, Conor McCarthy and Pahamin Rajab – set out on a dream to build a brand that Asean would be proud of, one that would allow everyone to fly.

Now Everyone Can Fly

In a time when flying was viewed as an activity reserved for the wealthy, Tony dreamed of allowing everyone to fly.

With 40 million ringgit in debt and two airplanes, AirAsia was purchased for one ringgit. Today, AirAsia is the fourth largest airline in Asia, and has cemented its reputation as one of the biggest low-cost airlines in the world with a brand that has changed Asia forever.

More Than Just An Airline

2020 was a key turning point in our history as we accelerated our digital transformation to be more than just an airline. From e-commerce, ride-hailing, edutech and fintech solutions in its Superapp to offering logistics, engineering and aviation consulting services, Capital A today is an investment holding company with a broad portfolio of businesses which leverage each other to deliver the best value at the lowest cost, and still championing Asean.