AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur International) has clarified that a proposed name change to AirAsia remains subject to approvals, even after the CEO of parent Capital A, Tony Fernandes, said it would happen on January 19. Meanwhile, the carrier announced the full subscription of its MYR1 billion Malaysian ringgit (USD247 million) private placement.

In a January 14 filing to Bursa Malaysia, the airline confirmed it is exploring the rebranding to reflect the consolidation of the aviation business of AirAsia Group. However, it stated that "no definitive decision has been made, and no application has been submitted to the relevant authorities."

Simultaneously, AirAsia X announced on January 13 that its private placement had been fully subscribed by a mix of institutional and private investors. The price was fixed at MYR1.65 (USD0.4) per share. The completion of the placement and the listing of the new shares on the Malaysian bourse are scheduled for January 19.

The placement is a critical step in the airline's acquisition of Capital A's aviation assets to form an "enlarged AirAsia Group." The group intends to use the fresh capital to refinance existing debt and lower interest costs.

Plans for the consolidated entity include the finalisation of a new aircraft order to optimise fleet planning and the development of a strategic hub in Bahrain International. The airline said it aims to emulate the connectivity models of Middle Eastern carriers while maintaining a low-cost structure.

AirAsia X Chairman Fam Lee Ee said the capital injection would fuel the group's trajectory toward becoming a "global low-cost network carrier."