18 Nov 2005

Australia hints at Qantas and Singapore Airlines merger

9:38 am on 18 November 2005

Australia's prime minister, John Howard has indicated that he would like to see Qantas and Singapore Airlines work more closely together, including a possible merger, at some stage in the future.

The Melbourne Age newspaper says Mr Howard made the comment to Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum in South Korea.

The paper says the two leaders were discussing Australia's open skies policy, which is currently under review.

Mr Howard said he told Mr Lee that he would like one day to see Qantas and Singapore Airlines to come together.