AirAsia's Fernandes refutes financial concerns, points to new growth plans

The Air Asia brand is on display in the exhibition hall during the Bali International Airshow 2024 at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, on September 19, 2024. The airshow takes place from September 18-21, 2024, in the southern apron of Bali airport to boost the aviation and defense industries in Indonesia. (Photo by Johanes P. Christo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesAirAsia is "sustainable" despite media reports to the contrary and is even planning for growth despite soaring fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainty, according to co-founder Tony Fernandes.Reuters reported earlier this week, citing people with knowledge of the matter, that the Malaysian government had asked Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air whether they could take AirAsia's domestic market share as part of scenario planning while authorities monitored the carrier's financial health. Discussions had intensified in recent weeks as concerns mounted over AirAsia's finances, the report said."We're OK. We're sustainable," Fernandes said at a media briefing Friday, denying that the carrier needed a government rescue. "There is no chance of non-sustainability. Zero chance."F...