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MAS, AirAsia To Put Aside Rivalry and Work Together
Malaysia Airlines and low cost carrier AirAsia agreed to put aside their differences and work together in the interest of the nation and the aviation industry.
This decision was reached at a close door meeting yesterday presided by Transport minister, Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy. He called for the meeting following a local media report quoting MAS that it is willing to work with AirAsia for mutual benefit. (TravelWeekly eDaily October 11).
The minister had given the two airlines one month to come up with a concrete plan to cooperate in common areas such as marketing, engineering, ground handling, spare parts procurement, and maintenance.
Chan did not give full details of the meeting but described it as `cordial and friendly`. He believes that as long as the two airlines are willing to work together it will benefit everyone, from shareholders to travellers.
It is believed the meeting discussed issues facing the two airlines such as reopening Subang airport for LCCs and the proposal to hive MAS domestic routes to AirAsia.
The government has not make any decision on Subang airport. The issue of Subang was one of the bones of contention between MAS and AirAsia, with the former against the latter's proposal to turn Subang into a budget aviation hub.
Kuala Lumpur 12/10/2004
