AirAsia parent plans to raise more than $1 bln in debt, equity - FT (updated)

Aetherium Acquisition

25/10/2023 07:22

(Adds details from FT report, background)
       Oct 25 (Reuters) - Capital A Berhad  CAPI.KL , the
parent of AirAsia, is planning to raise more than $1 billion in
debt and equity, and will list some of its businesses through a
blank-cheque company, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
    Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes has agreed to a deal with
Aetherium Acquisition  GMFI.O , a special purpose acquisition
company, and plans to list several businesses through it next
year, the FT reported, citing two people familiar with the deal.
    This includes a new business extending the AirAsia brand to
companies hoping to start airline franchises in developing
countries, the report said.
    The group has been evaluating fundraising options for a
planned U.S. listing after it was hit by pandemic travel
restrictions in Asia, leading Bursa Malaysia Securities to
classify it as a PN17 company, or financially distressed, last
year. 
    The potential fundraising also includes a $150 million loan
from Bangkok Bank  BBL.BK  this month, FT said.
    Capital A and Aetherium Acquisition did not immediately
respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

 (Reporting by Nilutpal Timsina in Bengaluru; Editing by
Muralikumar Anantharaman)
 ((Nilutpal.Timsina@thomsonreuters.com; +91 86382 04706;))