Thursday, April 2, 2009

AirAsia plans to borrow RM3b next year

AIRASIA Bhd, Southeast Asia’s largest low-cost carrier, plans to borrow RM3 billion (US$822 million) next year to help pay for 24 new planes.

The money is on top of the estimated RM2.1 billion already lined up for 14 planes this year, Mohshin Aziz, AirAsia’s head of investor relations, said by phone. The Wall Street Journal reported the plan earlier today.

AirAsia plans to expand its fleet as the region’s economic growth fuels travel demand. Air travel in the Asia-Pacific region, excluding within China, may grow 6.2 per cent a year on average until 2027, according to Boeing Co.

AirAsia is also negotiating with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, which operates the country’s airports, for lower charges including landing fees at a planned new low-cost terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Aziz added.

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