Former Skymark Airlines chairman becomes AirAsia Japan president

An AirAsia plane getting ready for take off from Kuching International Airport yesterday. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / THE STAR.

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Japan has appointed Takashi Ide, the former chairman of Japan’s first low-cost carrier Skymark Airlines, as representative director and president.

AirAsia said in a statement that the board of the newly relaunched Japan operation had also appointed Osamu Hata as chief executive officer and Masakazu Arimori as chief financial officer.

On the new appointments, AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said Hata’s business acumen and Arimori’s sound expertise in cost control and capital allocation under Ide’s guidance put AirAsia Japan in “the best position to deliver on its mission to revolutionise air travel in Japan and maintain the highest level of safety.”

AirAsia Japan board member and Rakuten chairman and chief executive officer Hiroshi Mikitani said Ide needed no introduction in the aviation industry.

“We are excited to have someone of his caliber lead the team at AirAsia Japan, especially in building stronger relationships with the JCAB (Japan Civil Aviation Bureau) and other key regulatory stakeholders.”

Ide brings with him extensive industry experience and a wealth of knowledge on the Japanese aviation market.

Meanwhile, Hata joined AirAsia Japan in 2013 and previously held the position of chief financial officer. Arimori is another industry veteran, previously serving as president and chief operating officer of Skymark Airlines.

Yoshinori Odagiri, previous representative director and chief executive officer, will remain with the company in an advisory role.

AirAsia Bhd shares ended trading at RM1.42 on Tuesday, up 6 sen with 21.04 million shares changing hands.