AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines merger an option as coronavirus hits industry – minister

Merging money-losing state carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) with budget airline AirAsia Group Bhd is one of the options to “save” them as the coronavirus crisis batters the industry, Malaysia’s second-most senior minister told Reuters on Friday.

The pandemic that has killed at least 143,744 people around the world has led to lockdowns in many countries, brought air travel to a virtual halt and left airlines battling for survival.

Mohamed Azmin Ali, Malaysia’s minister of international trade and industry and the government’s designated second-in-command, said deliberations would soon take place on various options to help out the country’s airline industry.