According to a January 13 statement by CEO Tony Fernandes, the renaming will happen concurrently with the consolidation of the group’s long-haul and short-haul aviation businesses into a single entity. The restructuring involves the disposal of Capital A’s aviation assets to AirAsia X in a deal valued at MYR6.8 billion ringgit (USD1.7 billion).

“AirAsia will be one airline group and one brand. We will consolidate AirAsia X and AirAsia as one airline group with global ambitions,” Fernandes said. He added that the group is finalizing a new aircraft order intended to reduce costs and optimize the fleet, although no further details were disclosed.

The restructuring timeline aims for the distribution of AirAsia X shares to Capital A shareholders following the completion of a MYR1 billion (USD246.5 million) private placement. Capital A expects share allocation by January 16, with the enlarged share base to list on Bursa Malaysia on January 19.

Simultaneously, Capital A intends to submit its application for the lifting of PN17 status – a classification for financially distressed companies – on January 19, with a final court hearing scheduled for January 21. Following the disposal of the aviation division, Capital A will operate as a holding company for non-aviation businesses, including MRO, logistics, and digital services.

Fernandes also outlined strategic goals for the consolidated airline, targeting 30% EBITAR margins and stating plans to build a “low-cost version of Emirates and Qatar Airways”, utilizing a hub at Bahrain International. He noted that dividends would be targeted once pandemic-era debt is reduced.

Capital A plans to host an investor day after the 2025 fourth quarter results are finalized to detail the post-restructuring strategy.

Credits: AirAsia

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The Bangkok flight -although not non-stop- is good news for Thailand tourism which currently struggles to keep afloat. The Los Angeles route used to be served by Thai Airways International.

United monopolistic position in Thailand

However, following the downgrade of Thailand’s aviation safety from Category 1 to Category 2 in 2015 by the US Federal Aviation Administration, direct services stopped. This was the consequence of a ban on direct flights for Thai Airways International.

While lifted in April of this year, after the US aviation regulator reinstated Thailand in the top category, there is no rush for Thai Airways to be back to the USA due to heavy competition via Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo or Singapore. United is likely to remain the sole carrier to connect Bangkok to the USA for a long time…

Competition on USA-Ho Chi Minh City routes

Last served until October 2016, United flight to Ho Chi Minh City will also connect the USA via Hong Kong. The flight starts on the same day than the Bangkok route. United will also be the only U.S. airline to offer a daily service to Ho Chi Minh City with a Dreamliner. But unlike for the Bangkok flight, United will face competition from Vietnam Airlines. Vietnam’s national carrier offers four weekly flights to San Francisco from Ho Chi Minh City with an Airbus A350-9. 

Meanwhile, United also announced to operate a second daily service between San Francisco and Manila from October 25, 2025 with a Boeing 777-300ER. On December 11, the carrier will be the first US airline to propose a nonstop flight to  Adelaide in Australia from its San Francisco hub.

Credit: Travelmole

Images: Pascal Borener

The post United Airlines to be the sole US airline to fly to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City from October first appeared on AircrewNews.com.