Senthil Balan Danapalan, BCom
Senthil graduated from the University of Auckland in 2000 with a double major in Accounting and International Business.
He has had a very interesting career thus far and is presently the Head of Network Management for AirAsia X, the world’s first long haul low cost carrier.
The position puts Senthil in charge of route economics and planning, bilateral management, negotiating with airports and tourism authorities, regulatory license and compliance, fleet and schedule management.
AirAsia X is 20% owned by Virgin, and leverages off the brand of AirAsia, Asia’s biggest low cost carrier. AirAsia X launched its first commercial flight in November 2007, and Senthil was in the pioneer team that helped start it up from scratch.
Now, AirAsia X flies into the Gold Coast, Australia and Hangzhou China, but has ordered 15 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, with an option for another 10 and will eventually fly to over 40 destinations over 5 year.
Prior to AirAsia X, Senthil was in Malaysia Airlines working in the Turnaround Office. The Turnaround Management Office was established in late 2005 by the new Managing Director, after Malaysian Airlines announced a USD300 million annual loss. Senthil’s role in the Turnaround Office was to coordinate a company wide (across 12 divisions and 75 geographic locations) cost reduction program.
Prior to his role in the Turnaround Management Office, Senthil was Head of Investor Relations in Malaysia Airlines, where within 6 months of managing the department, he was awarded '2nd Best Investor Relations Officer' in 2004 for Malaysia and 'Most Improved Investor Relations Company' in 2004 for Malaysia by ‘Asiamoney’ magazine.
Prior to Malaysia Airlines, Senthil was in the corporate finance team in ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORKS plc (ASTRO), South East Asia’s largest media company and was part of the core working group that concluded ASTRO Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in October 2003, which was the biggest IPO in South East Asia in 2003.
Of course, Senthil’s career was built on the foundations of a successful time studying at the University of Auckland. Senthil was awarded the University of Auckland Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong Scholarship in 1996 and in 1999; was Treasurer, Auckland University Students Association (AUSA).
Senthil was also the President, Union of Malaysian Students in Auckland in 1997.
During his time in University, Senthil won the following awards:
a) 1999 Union of Malaysian Students in Auckland Award - 1st Prize
b) 1999 New Zealand Malaysian Business Council Book Award;
c) 1997 Auckland University Students Association Club Administration Award
You can contact Senthil via email at: sbalan76@yahoo.com
