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...2&sec=business