(Reuters file photo)KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd hopes to reach a deal on the sale of its aircraft leasing unit by March, its group chief executive said on Wednesday, as the budget carrier seeks funds to return to shareholders. Talks have been underway for more than a year to sell a stake in the leasing unit, in a deal sources have valued at around $900 million. In October, Fernandes said the leasing unit was likely to be sold by the end of December. On Wednesday, he appointed Riad Asmat as chief executive of the airline's Malaysia-based operations, as part of a series of management changes. Aireen Omar, currently chief executive of AirAsia Bhd, will become deputy group chief executive for digital transformation and corporate services, the airline said.

Source: Bangkok Post December 13, 2017 08:15 UTC