The talks to buy out Qantas’ 49% stake in Jetstar Asia Airways, the Singapore affiliate, began a few months ago and were still at an early stage, the person said, declining to be identified because the matter was confidential.
Any purchase would be subject to approval from the Singapore regulators, the source added. The value of any potential deal is unclear.
A Qantas spokesman declined comment on the matter, saying it was “speculation”. Jetstar Asia and Lion Air Group also declined to comment. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore had no immediate comment.
Any potential sale would help the bottom line of Qantas, which saw stiff competition at home and overseas pushing it deep into the red in the six months ended Dec 31.
In February, Qantas said it had shed staff, slashed spending and sold planes as part of its most radical shakeup since it was privatised 20 years ago. It has also halted the expansion of Jetstar, all steps aimed at convincing the Australian government that it is worthy of the state assistance it says it desperately needs.
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