Similarly, at least two foreign airlines had shown interest in Malaysian Airlines before it was bailed out.

ECONOMIST: Asian privatisation

Before taking over Khazanah, for example, he masterminded a restructuring of Malaysian Airlines, whereby the government agreed to absorb the losses on the carrier's unprofitable domestic routes.

ECONOMIST: Khazanah: The Malay way of business change | The

Even as Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370, which was headed from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, seems to have vanished into thin air, two people listed on the flight manifest remain safe.

BBC: How safe is your passport?

Also on the EU's blacklist were Ariana Afghan Airlines , North Korea's Air Koryo and Thailand's Phuket Airlines , which should mean extra traffic for more reputable types such as Malaysian Airlines , Thai Airways and Deutsche Lufthansa.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Before joining CNNI, Kinkade worked for Seven Network Australia, most recently as a freelance correspondent from New York where she filed reports on the Polar Vortex, the push to legalize marijuana, Boeing's first space taxi, the crash of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 and the spread of the Ebola virus.

CNN: CNN Profiles - Lynda Kinkade - Anchor

Both airlines are connected with club owner, Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes, who took over in August.

BBC: QPR sign sponsorship deal with two Asian airlines

Malaysian state investment firm Khazanah Nasional, which owns close to 70% of Malaysia Airlines, will get a 10% stake of Air Asia.

BBC: QPR sign sponsorship deal with two Asian airlines