Australia's Qantas said today it would be in the airline's interest to merge with rival carriers sooner rather than later as the 'flying kangaroo' was well-placed to see out the global financial storm.
Chief executive Geoff Dixon, who will step down later today after eight years at the helm of the country's biggest airline, has previously said consolidation was inevitable as the industry struggles against falling demand.
He told the company's annual general meeting in Brisbane that "the next step forward for Qantas will be to participate in consolidation of the aviation industry."
Ahead of the meeting, Dixon said he believed Qantas needed to merge. "I think it's desirable, particularly in our current strong situation, so that we can be a major partner in that," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
"I do believe at some stage in the next few years, Qantas will end up in partnership with another airline, and Qantas is so strong now, it will be a major part of that partnership whereas 10 years ago, it would have been a minority part."
Qantas, which earlier this week forecast a 64% drop in annual profits and announced further capacity cuts to cope with the financial crisis, said despite the challenges of the global meltdown it was in a strong position.