PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Group Bhd said it has received at least 13 expressions of interest and offers to purchase from prospective buyers, including Castlelake LP, but no deals have been made yet.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the group confirmed Castlelake’s interest alongside other parties, for its aircraft leasing unit and/or a number of its remaining aircraft assets.
“The company has not entered into any legally binding contract with any of the parties involving the sale of the leasing unit or a significant number of aircraft with values over and above the prescribed thresholds under the Main Market Listing Requirements of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd,” it said.
The group said it will make the necessary announcements when its board of directors has reached a decision.
On Tuesday, Reuters reported that US private investment firm Castlelake has struck a deal to buy about 30 narrowbody planes from the group for an estimated US$800 million (RM3.35 billion), after edging out US lessors, funds and leasing units of major Chinese banks.
It was reported that Castlelake would purchase older aircraft that are under lease to AirAsia’s affiliated airlines.
