Got to give it to Air Asia's Tony Fernandez for his farsightedness and shrewd business acumen. Fernandez had planned ahead to use Lakshmi Mittal Tune Group in expanding his empire into India. To get close to Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, Tony bought over Queens Park Rangers (QPR) F. C. football team. Mittal owned 34 percent stake in QPR Team and his son-in-law, Amit Bhatia was on ithe team's board.
Tony Fernadez on Ratan Tata had eyes too. For this I befriended Narain Karthikeyan. Tata sponsored Narain in Formula 1 and Tony too owned a F-1 team - Caterham. It's through Formula 1 racing Narain That Tony met and who then Introduced him to his sponsor Ratan Tata in 2005.
Air Asia entry into Indian Civil Aviation industry fell in place with Air Asia owning 49% in the Indian venture, Tatas taking 30% and 21% Is With Arun Bhatia (Father of LNM's son-in-law) of Telstra Tradeplace. By the way - Arun Bhatia's 21% stake is more of LNM's Benami Holding.
Smart cookie this guy - Tony Fernandez is!
