Jet* & Air Asia X in merger talks?

[Montague S]

interesting development with our Malaysian friends...would be a nice deal if they did merge.

QANTAS has declined to comment on reports that its budget subsidiary Jetstar is in merger discussions with low-cost carrier AirAsia X.
"We talk to airlines all the time about possible partnerships, relationships and cooperative agreements,'' a Qantas spokesperson said.

A report in Malaysia's The Star newspaper, citing an unnamed source, said Jetstar and AirAsia were in merger talks, possibly involving a share swap, to cope with the slowing worldwide demand for air travel.

Last week, Qantas and BA called off talks to merge into an over $8 billion carrier, after failing to agree on key terms.

Airlines around the world have been moving to merge over the past few years as they are hurt by rising costs, including fuel costs this year, and now slowing demand.

Qantas shares had fallen 3.15 per cent to $2.46 as of 3.06pm.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/23/business/2873092&sec=business

[Andrew P]

wonder if JetStar has had a word with its shareholder, or does this relate to JetStar Asia and not Jetstar Australia?

banjo

[Greg Wood]

The Vultures circling its prey! shame really when real competition comes into the market they want to merge with it!
GW

[lloyd fox]

Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia and Britain's Virgin Group, which is controlled by billionaire Richard Branson, hold stakes of 16 percent each in AirAsia X. Japanese leasing firm Orix and Bahrain-based Manara Consortium hold stakes of 10 percent each, while the rest is held by Aero Ventures, a firm owned by AirAsia Chief Executive Tony Fernandes and his business associates. Mar 27, 2008

If that is still the case which i believe so, then Sir Richard could end up owning part of Jetstar which could not happen, and if it did, then Jetstar could become Virgin Blue's low cost carrier

Just kidding but interesting.

Basically i could not see this merger happening.:D

[Ash W]

Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia and Britain's Virgin Group, which is controlled by billionaire Richard Branson, hold stakes of 16 percent each in AirAsia X. Japanese leasing firm Orix and Bahrain-based Manara Consortium hold stakes of 10 percent each, while the rest is held by Aero Ventures, a firm owned by AirAsia Chief Executive Tony Fernandes and his business associates. Mar 27, 2008

If that is still the case which i believe so, then Sir Richard could end up owning part of Jetstar which could not happen, and if it did, then Jetstar could become Virgin Blue's low cost carrier

Just kidding but interesting.

Basically i could not see this merger happening.:D

I think you are reading way too much into it.

BTW I think you will find this only relates to Jetstar Asia. Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Aus and Jetstar Pacific (Vietnam) are all different companies with a common major shareholder which is Qantas. Just because they sell an interest in one of their companies, doesn't mean they are selling an interest in all.

[Michael Morrison]

Branson only has a small stake in Air Asia X. I don#t believe he hahs any interests in Air Asia.