In a statement to FMT, AirAsia said it is considering its legal options in light of a report by a news portal earlier today.

“We do not comment on speculative reporting,” it said.

“We will review our legal options in response to the publication of misleading and irresponsible content.”

The news report said AirAsia was expected to retrench 20% of its current workforce as part of an ongoing restructuring exercise, set to be completed by August.

A source within the aviation industry said the restructuring was necessary to ensure the airline’s employee expenditure is aligned with its annual income.

Departments allegedly affected included cabin services, cargo and logistics, engineering and maintenance, and the commercial division, the report added.

AirAsia’s website states that it has 21,000 staff across Malaysia and the rest of the region.