KUALA LUMPUR (REUTERS) - Shares of AirAsia Bhd rose as much as 5.6 per cent on Wednesday (Oct 7) after Reuters reported that the founders of Asia's largest budget airline are sounding out investors to take the company private.

The gain outperformed the 0.12 per cent drop in the benchmark index.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that AirAsia's co-founder Tony Fernandes is talking to banks to secure financing for the transaction, which could be launched over the next few months, citing sources familiar with the matter.

An AirAsia spokeswoman declined comment.