http://www.relax.com.sg/relax/news/1343748/AirAsia_hopes_to_set_up_airline_in_Spore.html
It has not submitted a formal application to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore but is in fresh talks with the authority and the Ministry of Transport, said Mr Logan Velaitham, chief executive officer (CEO) of AirAsia Singapore.
In the meantime, the Malaysia-born budget carrier continues to grow its business here.
AirAsia has applied to park two more planes - it currently has one for an early morning service to Kuala Lumpur - at Changi Airport, and has plans to set up a joint-venture pilot training facility at Seletar Aerospace Park, Mr Logan said.
The airline also has an online travel portal tie-up that sells tour packages and Singapore hotel rooms, among other services.
It has close links with ST Aerospace, which maintains 175 of its Airbus 320 aircraft.
The Transport Ministry said it was aware of the airline's interest. "We are open to and would consider proposals from any carrier that could bring about substantial benefits to the Singapore air hub," a spokesman said.
As a group, AirAsia - the Malaysian airline, as well as AirAsia Indonesia and Thai AirAsia - accounts for about 7 per cent of Changi Airport's 6,300 weekly flights.
To set up an airline here, AirAsia will have to find a Singapore partner to take up a majority 51 per cent equity stake.
Mr Shukor Yusof, from Standard & Poor's Equity Research, said: "This should not be a problem."
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