Career Biography

Vinay Thakur is an experienced and strategic legal professional who currently serves as the Chief Legal Officer of the AirAsia Aviation Group, one of Asia’s largest low-cost airline conglomerates. In his role, Vinay oversees the full spectrum of legal affairs for the group, providing counsel on complex regulatory, corporate governance, and commercial matters while supporting the airline’s fast-paced, innovative business operations.

With a career spanning over two decades, Vinay has gained extensive experience in both the aviation sector and broader corporate law, helping guide the company through transformative milestones in an industry characterized by dynamic change and significant challenges. His expertise is particularly strong in areas such as international aviation law, dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate compliance.

Since joining AirAsia in 2019, Vinay has been instrumental in driving the legal strategy behind some of the airline’s most critical initiatives, including the group’s expansion into new markets, fleet growth, and digital transformation. His deep understanding of the aviation regulatory environment in Southeast Asia, coupled with his ability to anticipate and mitigate legal risks, has made him a trusted advisor to senior leadership at AirAsia. He plays a pivotal role in ensuring the company’s operations comply with regional and international aviation regulations, as well as advising on strategic partnerships and joint ventures.

In addition to his legal acumen, Vinay is also a key player in AirAsia’s efforts to foster a robust corporate governance culture. He leads the legal team in addressing complex matters relating to corporate finance, intellectual property, and dispute resolution, often acting as a representative for the company in negotiations with regulators, airlines, and other stakeholders.

Vinay’s leadership extends beyond legal strategy; he is also committed to mentoring the next generation of legal professionals. As part of his dedication to the development of the legal community, he is an active participant in industry forums, and regularly contributes to discussions on legal trends in the aviation and technology sectors.

Prior to his role at AirAsia, Vinay worked with top-tier law firms and in-house teams, advising multinational clients across a variety of industries, including transportation and hospitality. He holds a law degree from Columbia University, New York, and is admitted to practice law in New York.