Fernandes makes a splash in his new home (5099)

JAKARTA: Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has touched down in Indonesia. The chief executive and founder of AirAsia Group, a leading low-cost carrier, recently relocated to Jakarta.


He has arrived to help AirAsia expand its footprint throughout Indonesia.

"This is a very proud moment for me, I love Indonesia," Fernandes said.

"There is so much to see in Indonesia and so much to do. So much culture and so much art."

He said he moved into a neighborhood in Central Jakarta last week and took an office in the capital this week.

Fernandes said he is very excited to live and work in Indonesia and is optimistic about Indonesia's potential.

He added that he believed the country was "an important market for us in the future."

AirAsia announced in June that it would open a strategic planning centre in Indonesia.

It is looking to take advantage of Jakarta's role hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations secretariat.

With the open skies agreement looming in 2015, Indonesia makes strategic sense as a base for a carrier with regional aspirations.

To help grow AirAsia's domestic footprint, it announced the purchase of Batavia Air on Thursday.

With its new acquisition in place, Fernandes plans to devote himself to expansion of the local business.

Expanding Indonesia's tourism industry is on his agenda, Fernandes said, as well as supporting Indonesian businesses by providing cheap airline services.