AirAsia Group is considering merging its Thai AirAsia (FD, Bangkok Don Mueang) and Indonesia AirAsia (QZ, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) operations into a single company which could be listed on both the Malay and Thai stock markets Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has said.
According to Reuters, Somkid made the remarks following a meeting with the Malaysian group's founder and CEO, Tony Fernandes, in Bangkok last week. Fernandes is said to have alluded to using Thailand as the international headquarters of the group given the country's prominence and growth potential.
AirAsia has also expressed an interest in partnering Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) in the formation of a strategic partnership. No exchange of equity would be required, he said.
Earlier this year, Thai was linked to the possible purchase of a 20% in the LCC's Thai unit, a rumour that was promptly rebutted.
