Top AirAisa executive Tony Fernandes has said Malaysia is a better choice than Singapore for Qantas’ next hub.

Airport news for Travel,Flights on 15/12/2011.

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The comments from the chief executive of Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia came on Wednesday during and interview with Australian Financial Review. He said that although Singapore is more advantageous as business hub that Kuala Lumpur would provide better connectivity, adding that Singapore’s Changi Airport was much like Dubai in that it the majority of its traffic was transient.

Fernandes is currently amid negotiations with the Australian flag carrier and Malaysia Airlines to enter a three-way alliance.

Qantas had announced in August that it would be seeking a base in Southeast Asia to launch a new premium airline as part of its restructuring plans to help offset heavy losses seen in its traditional international operations.

Talks between the three carriers had been reported to be suspended due to the frail global economy and heavy volatility among fuel prices, but Qantas officials said in a statement on Monday that negotiations were ongoing and that Kuala Lumpur and Singapore were still being considered the frontrunners as a potential hub.

When questioned regarding the status of the Qantas talks, Fernandes declined to comment but revealed that under previous chief Geoff Dixon that the Australian carrier had approached him about buying AirAsia, but that he had turned down.

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