KUALA LUMPUR – There is speculation in Malaysia that the national airline, MAS, may be shopping around for a merger partner similar to the alliance forged by Air France and KLM.
Sources in KL say that MAS has two outside consultants working on the merger project, although no potential partner has been identified.
While Singapore Airlines is being suggested by some outsiders as a possible partner, it is unlikely that Malaysia would allow its neighbour to take the co-pilot’s seat.
And SIA would want a very close look at MAS’s operating and financial structure before looking at any deal.
Currently, MAS is struggling with a number of challenges, including late planes and staff unrest over the company’s staff share option scheme.
