AirAsia boss set to takeover Premier League club
Asian airline magnate Tony Fernandes is expected to take control of West London Premier League football club Queens Park Rangers today.
Fernandes, owner of Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia, is believed to be close to finalising a deal to give him a 51% stake in the club, which suffered a thrashing by Bolton Wanderers in its first match in the Premier League on Saturday.
Fernandes, whose long-haul off-shoot AirAsia X flies from Kuala Lumpur to London, is believed to have been at the match.
QPR is currently controlled by Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, who has a 62% stake in the club. According to the Financial Times, the balance of Ecclestone's share is expected to be sold to Indian steel magnate and multi-billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, who already owns 33% of the club.
Fernandes' business interests include hotels and telecoms in addition to Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia, one of the region's fastest growing budget airlines. Last week he also acquired a controlling stake in Malaysia flag carrier Malaysia Airlines.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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