AirAsia X proposes major debt restructuring to avoid liquidation

Just days after Malaysia Airlines declared its restructuring plan the long haul minimal expense arm of the AirAsia Group, AirAsia X (AAX), has proposed to undertake a team-large credit card debt and corporate restructuring with a revised company model to endure and prosper in the long-term.

In a filing with the Malaysian bourse, the budget provider said “a big credit card debt restructuring and a renegotiation of its fiscal obligations are pre-requisites for any raising of contemporary fairness which will be necessary to restart the airline”.

The provider has proposed that the credit card debt of RM63.50 billion (US$15.3 billion) to unsecured collectors be reconstituted into an acknowledgement of indebtedness for a principal sum of up to RM200 million.

“Any stability in extra of the reconstituted sum and all other sums after the reduce-off day as at June thirty, 2020 arising from these debts (together with fascination, penalty fascination) shall be waived,” it said in the assertion.

AAX said it is facing significant liquidity constraints in assembly its rapid credit card debt and other fiscal commitments, “based on its present fiscal posture and the field outlook”.

In a different assertion, AAX said: “Travel and border limits have grounded all scheduled flights and there is no imminent return to normalcy. An imminent default of contractual commitments will precipitate a prospective liquidation of the airline.”

To avert liquidation and enable the airline to choose to the sky again AAX rationalised its only selection is to undertake a big credit card debt restructuring and a renegotiation of its fiscal obligations.

To lead the ‘charge’ to make certain the airline will be capable to fly again is chartered accountant and former financial commitment banker, Datuk Lim Kian Onn, who has been appointed as deputy chairman. He has been a board member of AAX considering that 2012.

The restructuring will also see a revision of the group’s company plan that includes route network rationalisation, aircraft fleet ideal-sizing, expense foundation overhaul and workforce optimisation to make certain a leaner and more sustainable company.  

AAX will have interaction with its company companions, citing their help as “key achievement factors” to the proposed restructuring plan. It hopes to enter into contracts and agreements that are “reflective and supportive of the airline’s revised company plan upon profitable completion of the restructuring”.

Underneath the proposed plan, AirAsia Unrestricted Go holders and visitors with legitimate flight bookings will obtain vacation credits with prolonged validity for long run vacation or obtain of seat inventory.

AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said AAX, like other airways around the world, is struggling to endure amidst the pandemic.

“It has been extremely tricky for the airline in the course of this period as we experienced to floor all scheduled flights, employ wage cuts and retrenchment for the first time in the company’s history as a consequence of the pandemic. Very similar exercise routines are probably to keep on in the course of the restructuring approach, but our emphasis is to make certain a profitable restructuring to keep as several work as achievable.

He said AAX, with its minimal expense foundation, “is in the ideal component of the current market and several of our critical marketplaces are in inexperienced zones, which are probably to reopen first. We have a sturdy recovery technique in area and, with the ongoing help from our stakeholders, we will prevail over all issues and appear out more powerful.”

Benyamin gives his assurance the airline will resume operations as shortly as achievable the moment the border limits are lifted.

The company’s rapid emphasis is to attain all vital approvals and execute the proposed restructuring plan more than the future couple months, he additional.

• All images credit rating: AirAsia