KUALA LUMPUR – Budget airline AirAsia Group Bhd said its digital units have acquired two Thai technology businesses from Indonesian ride-hailing and payment firm Gojek for US$50 million (RM207.9 million)
According to a stock exchange filing today, the acquisition involves 100% of the equity interest in Velox Technology for US$40 million by AirAsia SuperApp, and the entire equity in Velox Fintech for US$10 million by AirAsia Digital.
AirAsia said the acquisitions will be satisfied by the issue of shares in AirAsia SuperApp, whereby the sellers will subscribe to ordinary shares representing 4.76% in AirAsia SuperApp, as stated in The Edge.
Earlier, Nikkei Asia reported citing sources that AirAsia was in talks with Gojek to acquire its business in Thailand.
Under the deal, Gojek would take a stake in AirAsia’s digital arm, while the low-cost carrier would acquire Gojek’s business in Thailand.
A deal with the Indonesian start-up unicorn comes just a week after the loss-making airline applied for a digital banking licence in Malaysia, signalling a shift in focus towards digital business as most of its fleet remains grounded amid coronavirus restrictions. – The Vibes, July 7, 2021
