Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air extend flight suspensions

Thai AirAsia to cut fleet, staff due to int'l uncertainty

AirAsia renames airline group to set it apart from digital

AirAsia Group has renamed its airline companies’ holdco as AirAsia Aviation Limited as part of a reorganisation designed to create what it said should be a clear distinction from its burgeoning digital business, the group has revealed.

“As AirAsia’s rapid transformation from an airline into a digital travel and lifestyle services group continues to gain strong momentum, the holding company for the airline group has been officially renamed,” AirAsia Group outlined in a statement on October 14.

As previously reported, during this year AirAsia Group has been seeking to raise USD300 million in efforts to expand its digital business wing AirAsia Digital as it bolsters this part of the business to offset the crippling effect of the pandemic on aviation. On July 7, AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said he was considering raising this amount by listing the digital business via a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in the United States.

Bo Lingam, formerly president for airlines at the group, will take over as group chief executive of the newly named AirAsia Aviation Limited, overseeing...

Thai AirAsia parent to raise $419mn as Thailand reopens

Asia Aviation PCL (AAV), the parent company of Thai AirAsia (FD, Bangkok Don Mueang), has said it is seeking to raise THB14 billion baht (USD419.4 million) to fund a restart at the low-cost carrier following the “very negative impact on the company’s business and operating results” thrown up by Covid-19 and the Thai government’s strict travel restrictions.

Those restrictions are now starting to ease, as Thailand plots a reopening that will allow vaccinated arrivals from ten “low-risk” countries - including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, China, and Singapore - to skip quarantine from November. The other five countries have not yet been named, and the government will add more countries to the low-risk list in December.

In a 70-page report issued after an AAV board of directors’ meeting, filed to the Stock Exchange of Thailand on October 19, the company said it would issue convertible bonds and new shares worth THB14 billion. It also pledged to eventually acquire all of the shares in Thai AirAsia and boost the airline’s liquidity. AAV currently owns 55%...

AirAsia eyes all-A321neo fleet with order conversion

AirAsia Group has converted its thirteen remaining A320-200N orders into A321-200Ns as it looks to exclusively operate the latter type over the coming years.

"We have always been in close engagement with Airbus and we look forward to a full A321-200neo fleet conversion that will further solidify our lowest cost base and lean cost structure. The A321neo will revolutionise the flying experience for our guests as we accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel post-COVID-19," President (Airlines) of AirAsia Group Bo Lingam said.

Following the adjustment, AirAsia Group has an outstanding commitment with Airbus for 362 A321-200Ns. It does not have any other aircraft orders.

Out of the 13 converted A320-200N orders, five aircraft were due for delivery to AirAsia and eight to AirAsia India.

The South-East Asian low-cost carrier holding has traditionally relied on the A320-200 and, more recently, the A320-200N as the cornerstone of its fleet. It took the first A321-200NX in 2019 and has thus far inducted just four units: two...