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AirAsia to launch leasing business stake sale AirAsia, Asia's biggest budget airline, will kick off the sale of a majority stake in its plane leasing unit this month, a deal that could value the business at about $1 billion, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The Malaysia-based carrier, headed by tycoon Tony Fernandes, has hired three investment banks to run the sale of the Asia Aviation Capital stake, the people said. They declined to be identified as the discussions were confidential. The deal would help   AirAsia   boost its finances and slash debt after it faced criticism last year for its accounting practices. At an overall valuation of $1 billion, the sale would be significant for a carrier with a market capitalisation of $2 billion. AirAsia declined to comment. The airline plans to tap potential suitors including the leasing units of China's HNA Group, China Merchants Bank, and the aviation leasing company backed by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-s...

AirAsia eyes Hong Kong listing as it expands in North Asia AirAsia   is studying a dual listing in Hong Kong, part of plans to become a pan-Asian low-cost airline player as it also moves towards setting up a joint venture in China, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday. The Malaysia-based group is simultaneously looking for more   aircraft   to meet strong demand in North Asia and elsewhere, the people said on the eve of Britain's Farnborough Airshow. Asia's largest low-cost airline group, which already has affiliates across Southeast Asia, aims to form the venture with the backing of a Chinese state-owned enterprise (SOE) to help capture traffic from fast-growing secondary and tertiary cities. Co-founder and Chief Executive Tony Fernandes referred to the potential dual listing without naming a location and hinted at a potential new aircraft order in remarks posted on his   Twitter   account on Sunday. "Looking at more ancillary (rev...