Air Asia Expedia announces Kathleen Tan as CEO

In her new role, Tan will oversee the Expedia brand, AirAsiaGo, and the Backick online travel agency (OTA) businesses in Southeast Asia, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. She replaces outgoing CEO Dan Lynn. Lynn served as CEO since the joint venture was announced in early 2011.

Tan was previously AirAsia’s head of commercial and senior vice president for China. According to a press statement she was considered founder Tony Fernandes’s ‘right-hand woman’ managing AirAsia’s top-line performance. Under her tenure, AirAsia reports, its revenue grew 20-fold to more than US$3.5 billion in 2012. She was also responsible for increasing the airline’s fleet from 20 planes to 130.

“Kathleen came to Malaysia not knowing anything about aviation, but her determination has led her to overcome every challenge, and today she holds the pulse of Asia’s travel market,” Fernandes said.

Commenting on the group’s plans for the joint venture, Fernandes added that the focus will be on ancillary and adjacent businesses.

AirAsia Expedia is headquartered in Singapore.