Now that there is talk that foreign airlines are engaging or have engaged with Khazanah Nasional Bhd about acquiring a substantial stake in flag carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS), can the experiences in Europe be a barometer for a successful cross-border consolidation? I don’t think the foreign airlines can turn around Malaysia Airlines,” an analyst covering the region’s aviation industry tells The Edge. “The cultures and mentality are very different.”To recap, in an article by Focus Malaysia, Japan Airlines Co Ltd and Air France-KLM are named as foreign airlines that are interested in acquiring a substantial stake in MAS. Apart from the foreign airlines, which at one point also included Qatar Airways, local airlines such as AirAsia Group Bhd and Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd are also said to be in the fray to acquire or merge with the national airline. “I find it impossible for foreign airlines, especially those from Japan and Europe, to acquire a substantial stake in MAS and turn it around.

Source: The Edge Markets February 05, 2020 08:03 UTC