AirAsia, the largest low-cost carrier in Asia, is also considering the purchase of Bombardier Inc’s 110- to 130-seat narrowbody CSeries jets, Fernandes told reporters following a news conference at Montreal-headquartered training specialist CAE Inc.

Asked whether AirAsia’s reported talks to sell the unit have hit any obstacles, Fernandes said there were no “roadblocks” and added “it is imminent”.

He did not specify whether a statement would be made when the carrier reports quarterly earnings next week.

Privately owned KOTAM, or Korea Transportation Asset Management, is said to be negotiating the final terms to acquire AirAsia’s fully owned unit, Asia Aviation Capital.

KOTAM is part of Kukje Maritime Investment Corp, known as KMarin, which was founded in 2005.

Fernandes was in Montreal to reveal the sale of the budget carrier’s 50-per-cent share of the Asian Aviation Centre of Excellence to CAE, the world’s largest commercial aviation training company.

Under the deal, CAE will remain AirAsia Group’s training partner until 2036.

After flying on the CSeries on Thursday, Fernandes said he was “very impressed with the aircraft”, which he said would be considered for regional markets in Asia.

In June, he said the carrier’s core strategy lies in connecting Asia’s secondary and tertiary cities, with a particular focus on China and India.

“It’s early days,” he said of the talks with Bombardier.

“We’ve started the romance so let’s see where it takes us.”