AirAsia Says Shareholders Looking At Options

AirAsia said its major shareholders are evaluating "all strategic options" after a media report that its co-founder was sounding out investors to take the company private.

In a stock exchange statement, Air Asia said no decision had yet been reached on the shareholder's stakes in the airline. The board has also not received any offers to take the company private, it added.

Last month, Reuters news agency reported that co-founder Tony Fernandes was considering a management-led buyout of the airline after a critical research report knocked its shares to a seven-year low.

It was also reported last week that AirAsia had been in talks with lessors, including cash-rich Chinese companies, to sell a stake in its leasing subsidiary.

In its statement, AirAsia said it had received approaches from investors to co-invest in the unit, Asia Aviation Capital, which could allow them to indirectly own the aircraft in its fleet.