Air Asia's future in ‘significant doubt’

According to Ernst & Young, future of largest budget Air Asia is “Seriously Doubt full”.

Malaysian Air Asia shares dropped by more than 10% on Wednesday as result of service halt earlier.

The airline’s founder and chief executive is tycoon Tony Fernandes, who also co-owns Queens Park Rangers (QPR) football club in the UK.

Air Asia is badly effected due to the intense reduction in passenger because of covid-19 SOPs

Massive debts of Air Asia emphasized in Kuala Lumpur Stock exchange statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, AirAsia’s current liabilities already more than its current assets by 1.84bn ringgit ($430m; £340m) at the end of 2019, before the start of the covid-19.

The Asian carrier’s financial performance and cash flow have been further hit by the grounding of its planes amid tight travel curbs and lockdowns.

AirAsia's financial performance "indicate existence of material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt on the Group's and the Company's ability to continue as a going concern," Ernst & Young said in its unqualified audit opinion statement.

 

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On Monday, AirAsia reported a record quarterly loss of 803.8m ringgit. The budget airline started suspending flights in late March.

"This is by far the biggest challenge we have faced since we began in 2001,” Mr Fernandes said in a statement.

“Every crisis is an obstacle to overcome, and we have restructured the group into a leaner and tighter ship."

"We are positive in the strides we have made in bringing cash expenses down by at least 50% this year, and this will make us even stronger as the leading low-cost carrier in the region,” he added.

AirAsia said it was in talks over joint ventures and collaborations that may result in additional investment. It has also applied for bank loans and is weighing proposals to raise additional capital.