AirAsia may sign up BNP, Credit Suisse, RHB for leasing unit sale

- AFP

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Bhd is considering hiring BNP Paribas SA, Credit Suisse Group AG and RHB Capital Bhd to help sell its aircraft leasing unit as part of plans to raise funds and strengthen its finances, the group’s chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said.

Asia’s biggest discount carrier also plans to garner between US$75mil (RM302mil) and US$100mil (RM403mil) from a sale of new shares in its Philippine arm, Fernandes said in an interview in his office in Sepang. Besides the existing shareholders, “three other parties are also interested” in Philippines AirAsia and the carrier will mandate banks for the sale in two or three weeks, he said.