Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
AirAsia founder denies bailout talks after meeting Malaysian officials
AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes met officials from Malaysia’s finance and transport ministries during the week starting September 28.
He said he requested the meeting and denied that it was about financial assistance.
Three people familiar with the matter said the discussions included possible government support for the airline’s fundraising.
They said support could depend on AirAsia agreeing to conditions that are still under discussion.
The talks come as Malaysia’s government is concerned about the airline’s financial health.
AirAsia has faced a spike in jet fuel prices, and it is the country’s largest domestic carrier.
The proposed conditions and any next steps have not been specified.
AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes denied that his meeting with Malaysian officials involved talks about financial assistance.
Three people with knowledge of the matter said the meeting discussed possible government backing for AirAsia’s fundraising.
Fernandes said he met officials from Malaysia’s finance and transport ministries at his request during the week starting September 28.
The reported discussions came amid government concerns about AirAsia’s financial health after a spike in jet fuel prices.
- Who
- AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes met Malaysian finance and transport ministry officials.
- What
- Fernandes denied discussing financial assistance. Three people said the meeting covered possible government backing for AirAsia’s fundraising.
- When
- The meeting was during the week starting September 28, according to Fernandes.
- Where
- Malaysia.
- Why
- The reported discussions reflected government concerns about AirAsia’s financial health after a spike in jet fuel prices.
Tony Fernandes
Three people with knowledge of the matter
Purpose of meeting
Tony Fernandes
Fernandes said meeting officials did not mean they were discussing financial assistance.
Three people with knowledge of the matter
They said the meeting covered potential government support for AirAsia.
Support for fundraising
Tony Fernandes
Fernandes denied talks about financial assistance.
Three people with knowledge of the matter
They said the government could back AirAsia’s fundraising if the airline agreed to proposed conditions.
Just because I meet them doesn’t mean we’re talking about financial assistance
Fernandes said he met officials from Malaysia’s finance and transport ministries at his request.
Fernandes said in an interview that the meeting did not mean the airline was discussing financial assistance.
- Meeting date
- Week starting September 28
- Officials
- Malaysia’s finance and transport ministries
- Reported government support
- Potential backing for AirAsia’s fundraising
- Reported concern
- A spike in jet fuel prices
Sources
Related news
Ukraine faces $4.86 billion in foreign debt repayments in 2026
CVC planned to keep Israel defence deal quiet to avoid controversy
Pakistan Targets Economic Growth of More Than 4% in 2026
Pakistan Seeks Another Credit Rating Upgrade, Finance Minister Says
Genting shares fall most in 28 years after rights issue plan
Genus acquires New Zealand telco in deal worth up to NZ$65m
AirAsia in talks with Malaysian government over possible funding support
TSMC expected to post sixth straight quarter of record profit as AI demand grows
Exports are keeping Argentina's economy afloat as consumption and investment weaken
Colombia discusses possible Mazda assembly plant
Nordic lifts Kopsa gold-equivalent resource by 86% to 1.52 million ounces