KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 25): Capital A Berhad, the parent of AirAsia, is planning to raise more than US$1 billion (RM4.7 billion) in debt and equity, and will list some of its businesses through a blank-cheque company, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

Capital A CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has agreed to a deal with Aetherium Acquisition, a special purpose acquisition company, and plans to list several businesses through it next year, the FT reported, citing two people familiar with the deal.

This includes a new business extending the AirAsia brand to companies hoping to start airline franchises in developing countries, the report said.

The group has been evaluating fundraising options for a planned US listing after it was hit by pandemic travel restrictions in Asia, leading Bursa Malaysia Securities to classify it as a PN17 company, or financially distressed, last year.

The potential fundraising also includes a US$150 million loan from Bangkok Bank this month, FT said.

Capital A and Aetherium Acquisition did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.