December 23, 2008
Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia is in talks to merge with the budget carrier of Australia's Qantas Airways, a Malaysian newspaper reported on Tuesday citing an unnamed source.
The possible merger between AirAsia and Jetstar could involve a share swap and would help the carriers cope with the impact of slowing demand worldwide as the global economy weakens, The Star newspaper said.
Merger talks are at a preliminary stage, the report said.
Asked to comment, AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes told the newspaper: "We are always talking and looking at ways to strengthen AirAsia into a global brand.
A Qantas spokesman told the paper: "We talk to airlines all the time about possible partnerships, relationships and cooperative agreements."
Qantas and British Airways had earlier this month called off talks for a USD$6.4 billion merger.
Fernandes has said that AirAsia may be taken private.
(Reuters)
Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia is in talks to merge with the budget carrier of Australia's Qantas Airways, a Malaysian newspaper reported on Tuesday citing an unnamed source.
The possible merger between AirAsia and Jetstar could involve a share swap and would help the carriers cope with the impact of slowing demand worldwide as the global economy weakens, The Star newspaper said.
Merger talks are at a preliminary stage, the report said.
Asked to comment, AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes told the newspaper: "We are always talking and looking at ways to strengthen AirAsia into a global brand.
A Qantas spokesman told the paper: "We talk to airlines all the time about possible partnerships, relationships and cooperative agreements."
Qantas and British Airways had earlier this month called off talks for a USD$6.4 billion merger.
Fernandes has said that AirAsia may be taken private.
(Reuters)
