Lu takes the place of Malaysian national Capt. Suresh Bangah less than a year after he joined the budget carrier in May 2025, InsiderPH learned.
Her appointment also marks the return of female-led corporate leadership at the domestic airline unit of Malaysian tycoon Tony Fernandes.
This follows previous airline chiefs Marianne “Maan” Hontiveros and Joy Cañeba, who steered the airline during its startup years before the pandemic.
Infrastructure operator experience
Lu brings over 15 years of experience spanning infrastructure dealmaking, utilities, and regulated sectors across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
She began her career as a court attorney at the Supreme Court and a corporate lawyer handling cross-border investments before spending a year as director of legal services at the Public Private Partnership Center during the second Aquino administration.
The PPP Center was then led by Cosette Canilao, who later became her boss as CEO of Aboitiz InfraCapital.
In Aboitiz, Lu was tasked to lead their water investments and was named president of Apo Agua Infrastructure in Davao, the largest bulk water PPP in the country.
Near-term challenges
Lu takes the helm of AirAsia Philippines during a challenging period as airlines navigate rising fuel costs and travel disruptions brought about by the US war on Iran.
AirAsia Philippines is also in the midst of settling outstanding obligations to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. An insider said the carrier paid down roughly half of its dues and expects to complete payments in May this year.
The settlement is expected to place the airline on firmer footing for its next phase of growth.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
