AirAsia, the world's best low-cost airline, today announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for its Malaysia-based operations.

Riad Asmat has been named as the new CEO of AirAsia Berhad, and will assume his post effectively on January 10, 2018. Riad will report directly to Bo Lingam, Deputy Group CEO (Airlines) of AirAsia.

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO said "On behalf of the board members and AirAsia Allstars, we welcome the appointment of Riad as the CEO of AirAsia Berhad. We are fully confident that Riad will lead the company into the next phase of its development. Riad's appointment and Aireen's transition will provide support for continued success".

Prior to his appointment as CEO, Riad was Director for Corporate Planning, Strategy & Business Development, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd. Riad has grown the company across business functions in Automotive, Property, Construction, Food & Beverage and Telecommunications.

As a CEO of AirAsia Berhad, Riad joins a dynamic team which already includes Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of AirAsia Thailand; Dendy Kurniawan, CEO of AirAsia Indonesia; Captain Dexter Mateo Comendador, CEO of AirAsia Philippines; Amar Abrol, CEO of AirAsia India and Osamu Hata, CEO of AirAsia Japan - all of whom report directly to Bo Lingam.

In accepting the appointment as CEO of AirAsia Malaysia, Riad said, "I am humbled and honoured to lead AirAsia Berhad as the CEO. AirAsia which was recently named the World's Leading Low Cost Airline for the fifth year in a row at the 2017 World Travel Awards grand finals, in addition to the Skytrax's 9-times World's Best Low Cost Airline title is indeed a world champion in the industry. I am looking forward to working closely with the co-founders Tan Sri Tony, Datuk Kamarudin, the Board of Directors, the dynamic management and over 22,000 dedicated Allstars to continue achieving greater heights for the company."