KUALA LUMPUR - Shares of Malaysian Airline System (MAS) will be suspended from trading on Wednesday due to a pending corporate announcement, two sources said on Tuesday.

One of the sources said Malaysia Airlines was expected to announce the cancellation of plans for a share swap with budget carrier AirAsia.

Both of the sources have direct knowledge of the proposed deal.

The proposed US$364 million (S$457 million) tie-up has encountered strong resistance from the 20,000-strong MAS union, which voiced concern that the deal resembled a takeover by AirAsia founder Tony Fernandes and his brand of aggressive cost cutting.