Merger of Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia discussed

Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry Azmin Ali has said the merger of national flag carrier Malaysia Airlines and budget airline AirAsia is one of the options to save them as the COVID-19 has battered the aviation industry.

Illustrative image (Photo: Internet)

Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry Azmin Ali has said the merger of national flag carrier Malaysia Airlines and budget airline AirAsia is one of the options to save them as the COVID-19 has battered the aviation industry.

In an interview granted to Reuters on April 17, Azmin said the Malaysian government will look at all options to help the country’s airline industry.

Sources said AirAsia and Japan Airlines had earlier shown interest in buying a stake in Malaysia Airlines. Privately-held Malaysian group Golden Skies Ventures made a 2.5 billion USD offer to fully take over the holding company of Malaysia Airlines this month.

AirAsia said last week that it had no incoming revenue and 96 percent of its fleet was grounded, having suspended most of its flights since March.

The airline said it plans to resume domestic flights starting with Malaysia on April 29, Thailand and the Philippines on May 1, India on May 4 and Indonesia on May 7./.

VNA