SOVEREIGN fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad have whittled down a list of four investors for Malaysia Airlines, reported The Edge Weekly.

Among the four, three are international airlines – Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines Co Ltd and China Southern Airlines.

According to sources, the paper reported that the three have put in their bids for a strategic stake in Malaysia Airlines.

Putrajaya on Tuesday said Khazanah, which owns Malaysia Airlines, had four potential investors for the deal, narrowing the list from 20.

Today Reuters reported a Qatar Airways spokesman as saying in a text message that the airline is not on the shortlist. 

The Edge also reported that Khazanah is expected to decide soon, as Malaysia Airlines is only able to sustain operations until April next year.

Its report however did not identify the fourth bidder or the value of the deal.

Khazanah did not respond to a request for comment on the report.

A source told Reuters a Middle Eastern or Chinese airline could eventually invest in Malaysia Airlines.

The source also said any Chinese player would have to overcome anger against Malaysia Airlines over the 2014 disappearance of flight MH370 that was heading to Beijing with 153 Chinese nationals onboard. 

Khazanah had reported almost half of its RM7.3 billion impairment last year had stemmed from keeping Malaysia Airlines afloat. – October 27, 2019.