Southeast Asia based budget airline group AirAsia is among a group of six bidders interested in acquiring cash-strapped SriLankan Airlines.
Its unit AirAsia Consulting filed a request for qualification to acquire shares in SriLankan Airlines Limited, the Sri Lanka finance ministry said.
The flag carrier has been struggling for years and posted heavy losses of LKR 73.6 billion in 2023.
The government has taken over $510 million in bank loan liabilities to help make an acquisition more attractive.
The government will also provide about $70 million in short term working capital over the next few months.
As well as AirAsia, the other bidders are Dharshaan Elite Investment Holding (Pvt) Ltd, FITS Aviation Ltd, Sherisha Technologies Ltd, Treasure Republic Guardians Ltd and Hayleys PLC.
