PRESS RELEASE | Joy Cañeba named Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Zest
MANILA, May 20, 2014 – AirAsia Zest’s Board of Directors have appointed Joy Cañeba as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Joy who has been the airline’s Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager as well as a member of the board of directors since October 2013, assumed her new role in 1st April 2014.
A lawyer by profession with vast experience in corporate legal matters, Joy was instrumental in establishing Philippines AirAsia’s presence and operations in Clark International Airport in 2011. She was also instrumental in Philippines AirAsia’s acquisition of Zest Airways Inc. via strategic alliance in 2013, a partnership that paved the way for both airlines to operate on a much larger scale to/from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Philippines’ major international gateway.
Armed with a unique combination of legal training, expertise and exposure to the Philippines corporate environment, Joy led the Philippine team along the complex and challenging regulatory environment. It was during this period that Zest Airways successfully launched its new corporate name and fully rebranded into AirAsia Zest, offering Filipinos more choices, better value and enhanced services across a combined, larger network.
AirAsia Zest has become a stronger player in the Philippines operating a fleet of 16 aircraft and servicing domestic destinations of Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Cebu and Tacloban in the Philippines withinternational points in Asia, China and Korea.
Maan Hontiveros, newly appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of AirAsia Zest and CEO of Philippines AirAsia, commented, "We have tremendous confidence in Joy’s expertise and leadership. I have worked closely with her on many occasions when we started Philippines AirAsia. The aviation industry is going to be a lot more exciting given her fresh new perspective, impeccable work ethic and determination.”
Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia, Tony Fernandes said, “We are extremely happy to see Joy leading the AirAsia Zest team. She has been an advisor and counsel to Philippines AirAsia during its
inception and she played a key role in establishing its brand and operations. Her knowledge of the AirAsia business, people and culture would be a brilliant addition to the existing team as they set off to create aviation history in the Philippines.”
In accepting her CEO appointment, Joy Cañeba said, “I am honoured to lead a team of hardworking and passionate individuals. Our strategic objectives as a team remain as fundamental today as they were they were when we signed the alliance with Philippines AirAsia over a year ago. We are here to transform the travel industry by staying true to our commitment to safety, integrity and excellent service.”
Joy has a degree in Communications Management from the Assumption College of Makati City, Manila, and finished her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Santo Tomas also of Manila. She passed the Philippine Bar Examination in 2005 and ranked among the top 20 passers. After her studies, she worked in law firm where she specialized and sealed major corporate transactions involving air transportation, business process outsourcing, mining, banking, retail, labor, taxation and renewable energy.
A passionate traveller and self-confessed shopaholic, Joy also dabbles in photography and likes spending her free time with kids doing community works.
About AirAsia Zest:
AirAsia Zest is a low cost carrier based in the Philippines that flies hand in hand with AirAsia, voted the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier for five consecutive years. It serves domestic destinations of Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Cebu, Tacloban and Tagbilaran in the Philippines with international points in Asia including China and South Korea from its hub in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Manila.
Philippines AirAsia holds 49 per cent stake in AirAsia Zest after a signing an agreement with Ambassador Alfredo M. Yao, prominent businessman and owner of Zest Airways Inc., in March 2013.
