Tiada persetujuan beri AirAsia sokongan kewangan, kata kerajaan

Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim assured the public that the government will continue to closely monitor the financial situation of low-cost airline AirAsia. The Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, stated that the government has not granted any form of support or commitment to the struggling airline due to the fallout from conflicts in the Middle East and the subsequent surge in jet fuel prices.

Anwar explained that the government maintains regular business ties with industry players to gather their perspectives on the impact of the crisis in the Middle East and other affected sectors. Any request for government support from any company across all sectors is considered based on national interests, fiscal capacity, and the protection of public funds, in accordance with laws and procedures.

As of now, the government has not made any approval or commitment to provide financing support to AirAsia, whether in the form of guarantees, loans, or public fund injections, in response to a parliamentary written question from Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam). The Prime Minister said that the government will continue to closely monitor the development of AirAsia and will not comment on the speculation reported by the media.

Reuters earlier reported that AirAsia is trying to raise up to USD1 billion (RM4.08 billion) from the international bond market and secure RM700 million in local credit facilities, specifically for refinancing existing debt. Anwar noted that AirAsia controls 66% of Malaysia's Eastern Region flights by 2025, handling 62% of the air traffic in Sabah and 70% in Sarawak, including short take-off and landing (STOL) ports.

The highest passenger-carrying AirAsia airports in both states are Sibu (79%), Bintulu (77%), Sandakan (75%), Kuching (72%), Tawau (70%), Miri (63%), and Kota Kinabalu (62%). In West Malaysia, AirAsia has significant passenger shares in states such as Johor (70%), Terengganu (56%), Kedah (56% in Langkawi and 49% in Alor Setar), and Kelantan (46%).

At Terminal 2 KLIA, AirAsia accounts for three-quarters of total passenger volume. Nationally, AirAsia handles 41% of the 104.5 million passengers across all Malaysian airports, with nearly 60% being domestic passengers.