Malaysia Airlines Agrees to Sell Headquarters for Cash

June 29, 2006
The net book value of the airline and ticketing business headquarters was $23 million at the end of December 2005.

Malaysia Airlines said Wednesday it has agreed to sell its office headquarters for 130 million ringgit (US$36 million; euro29 million) to raise cash and bolster the loss-stricken carrier's finances.

The 35-story building, known as Bangunan MAS, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's largest city, will be sold to state-owned fund management firm Permodalan Nasional Bhd., Malaysia Airline System Bhd. said in a statement to the stock exchange.

The net book value of the airline and ticketing business headquarters was 81.2 million ringgit (US$23 million; euro18 million) at the end of December 2005, the statement said.

On completion of the sale, Malaysia Airlines said it expects to realize a gain of 46 million ringgit (US$12.8 million; euro10.2 million). The carrier has said it needs some 4 billion ringgit (US$1.1 billion; euro875 million) cash to restructure and return the company to profitability.

The airline reported a loss of 1.3 billion ringgit (US$362 million; euro288 million) for its financial year ended December 2005 and wants to turn around in 2007 with a projected 50 million ringgit (US$14 million; euro11 million) net profit.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.