SEPANG (May 9): AirAsia Bhd shareholders had today approved a planned placement of 559 million new shares to Tune Live Sdn Bhd at RM1.80 each. AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and executive chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranun own Tune Life.

At RM1.80 a share, the exercise will raise RM1.01 billion for AirAsia.

AirAsia had sought shareholders' approval for the share placement at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) here today. Fernandes said at a press conference after the EGM that the share placement indicated his and Kamarudin's commitment to the company.

"We have received overwhelming support from shareholders. We are doing it because we want to show our commitment to AirAsia. 

"Some people have asked us if we are retiring etc. So one way to show our commitment is to do it financially, put our money where our mouth is," Fernandes said.

Last month, AirAsia told Bursa Malaysia that the 559 million new shares constituted 16.7% of AirAsia's expanded issued capital.

AirAsia's latest shareholding updates showed that Fernandes' combined direct and indirect stakes in the company stood at 18.62%. Kamarudin's collective stake was at 18.63%.
 
At the press conference,  Fernandes said AirAsia was looking at consolidating its subsidiaries across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries.

He was commenting on news reports on AirAsia's planned consolidation of its subsidiaries in the region and the airline's proposed listing on the Thailand bourse.

"The response so far has been quite good but it is still early days. We have to deal with 10 countries," Fernandes said.

Bernama, quoting Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, reported that AirAsia was mulling the possibility of setting up its internatioal headquarters in Thailand as well as building its own airport in the country.

The deputy premier was quoted as saying "the budget carrier's owner also envisaged the consolidation of its subsidiaries in the region and listing the consolidated company on The Stock Exchange of Thailand or seeking a dual listing in Malaysia and Thailand."