AirAsia Prepares Japan Discount Airline After ANA Split

AirAsia Bhd., Southeast Asia’s biggest budget carrier, is close to restarting plans for a Japanese unit after a partnership with ANA Holdings Inc. unraveled in June, Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes said.

“Japan is a market we are very bullish on,” Fernandes said in an interview in London on Jan 17. The Sepang, Malaysia-based airline has lined up local partners and plans to commence service next year, the executive said.