( CNN ) -- Tony Fernandes is the CEO of Air Asia , Asia 's leading low fare , no frills airline , flying to destinations across the region . After graduating from the London School of Economics in 1987 , he worked as an accountant for Richard Branson 's Virgin Records from 1987 to 1989 . The amateur guitarist went on to become vice-president for Southeast Asia for Warner Music Group from 1992-2001 . In a dramatic change of direction , Fernandes left the music industry to buy Air Asia , a bankrupt carrier -- the purchase cost him a token fee of 26 cents . Since taking over Air Asia he has become known as the Richard Branson of Asian air travel . E-mail to a friend .
Tony Fernandes is the CEO of Asia 's biggest budget airline . He studied in the UK and joined Richard Branson 's Virgin Records . In 2001 Fernandes bought Air Asia for just 26 cents .