Qantas in merger talks with Malaysia Airlines

[Bernie P]

MALAYSIA Airlines has become the latest airline to hold merger talks with Qantas.
The airline's managing director Idris Jala told the Associated Press that Malaysia Airlines is holding talks with Qantas to "pursue strategic partnerships" and a possible code share to combat poor passenger numbers.

"We are in talks with a number of airlines, including Qantas, Mr Jala told Associated Press.

"More details will be announced as and when we have finalized the terms of any of these partnerships. At this stage, we have no further comment," he said.

Malaysia Airlines would also receive backing from the local government if the agreement between the two airlines leads to a "win-win situation", finance minister Najib Razak told The Malaysian Reserve newspaper.

Qantas recently launched merger talks with British Airways but a deal may be tough to reach amid foreign ownership constraints in the Australian carrier.

News.com.au