Malaysian tycoon Tony Fernandes plans to raise up to $550 million by listing shares in the long-haul arm and Indonesian unit of AirAsia as well as in his insurance firm, a source said on October 11.
The plan comes as Fernandes tries to tap the Kuala Lumpur exchange's popularity as a centre to launch initial public offerings, which has seen it rise to fourth globally despite the global slowdown. A source familiar with the deal told AFP on condition of anonymity that the three listings - the long-haul AirAsia X, the Indonesian unit and Tune Insurance - were worth between $400 million and $550 million. AirAsia chairman Aziz Bakar told AFP that work was in progress for the triple initial public offering but declined any details.
Fernandes, who also owns Formula One team Caterham, could not be reached for comment. The former record industry executive stepped down in June as chief executive officer of the Malaysian-listed AirAsia and shifted his office to Jakarta to concentrate on regional growth through Indonesia.