Thai AirAsia aims to accelerate expansion following late March IPO

Thai AirAsia aims to complete an initial public offering (IPO) by the end of next month that should raise capital to help fund the next phase of its expansion programme. The Bangkok-based low-cost carrier is an affiliate of the AirAsia Group and expects to expand its fleet of Airbus A320s to 40 aircraft within five years, at which point it may look at adding widebody aircraft.

Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld told CAPA at last week's Low Cost Airlines World Asia Pacific conference in Singapore that the company is "about to file" with the Stock Exchange of Thailand its long-planned IPO. He says the filing, which would be submitted "very soon", will lead to a 45-day quiet period which would culminate in the sale of shares. Mr Tassapon expects the IPO will be completed by the end of 1Q2012, which would require a filing in mid-February.