AirAsia X completes private placement, to be renamed AirAsia as part of group consolidation

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — AirAsia X Berhad has fixed the price of its proposed private placement at RM 1.65 (SD$ 0.41)  per share, with the placement fully subscribed by a mix of institutional and private investors. 

The transaction is part of the company’s ongoing aviation restructuring and is scheduled to be completed on January 19, 2026, with the new shares to be listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad the same day.

Alongside this, Capital A chief executive officer, Tony Fernandes, also announced in a LinkedIn post that AirAsia X will be renamed back to AirAsia, “AirAsia will be one airline group and one brand. We will consolidate AirAsia X and AirAsia as one airline group with global ambitions.”

The placement also marks a key step towards the formation of the enlarged AirAsia Group, which aims to consolidate all AirAsia-branded airlines under a single structure.

Speaking on the consolidation, AirAsia X Chairman, Dato’ Fam Lee Ee, said, “We are incredibly pleased to see such robust support from the investor community, which serves as a clear demonstration of confidence in the world’s best low-cost airline. This capital injection is not just about the present; it fuels our growth trajectory as we work towards becoming the world’s first low-cost network carrier. By revolutionising air travel once again, we are creating a seamless, global connectivity model that will redefine efficiency and affordability for passengers worldwide.”

Moreover, the consolidation is expected to improve operational and financial efficiency through better fleet utilisation, integrated network planning, and shared capabilities, while also leveraging the broader aviation and travel ecosystem developed through Capital A Berhad’s group of companies.

Following the completion of the restructuring, the Group plans to focus on refinancing existing debt to secure lower interest costs and enhance long-term profitability and cash flow. The move is part of a broader strategy to integrate long-haul and short-haul operations into a single, cohesive entity.

The Group is also exploring the development of a strategic hub in Bahrain, drawing on connectivity models of leading Middle East carriers, while maintaining a low-cost operational approach. 

As the consolidation approaches completion on January 19, the Group has said its focus will remain on scaling operations with discipline, maintaining reliable service, responding to demand, and continuing to offer accessible air travel, while creating sustainable value for shareholders.