Malaysia Airlines eyeing more JVs, fresh talks with Cathay

The executive director of Malaysia Aviation Group and CE of Malaysia Airlines has said he is actively working to expand joint venture partners and reboot abandoned JV talks with Cathay Pacific. Speaking earlier this month, Izham Ismail said joint ventures would be an important part of the airline's future operating strategy. As Malaysia Airlines winds up its fifth and most comprehensive restructuring programme, he said that a well thought-out JV could offer the partners strong business opportunities. "The only joint venture we have now is with JAL - Japan Airlines (JL, Tokyo Haneda)," he said. "Our ambition is to grow our joint business with many other airlines." Izham was not asked about the 13-member Oneworld alliance that Malaysia Airlines is a member of, whose carriers cooperate to facilitate the smooth transfer of passengers, codeshares, and connecting flights - all features of most commercial passenger airline joint venture agreements. Malaysia Airlines did not respond to a request for comment. "Recently, we had ambitions to get a joint venture with Cathay Pacific, but the deal was not palatable to regulators so we pulled the plug," the CE said.<br/>