Croatia Airlines (OU, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman) owner, the Croat government, is set to pass legislation allowing it to hold direct talks with investors interested in acquiring a stake in the carrier. The move comes after a tender issued last year for the privatization of the airline failed to garner any responses. EX-YU Aviation News reports that China Southern Airlines (CZ, Guangzhou) and Hainan Airlines (HU, Haikou) are believed to be the strongest contenders despite not submitting any bids last year. Garuda Indonesia (GA, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) had also reportedly shown interest in a stake. On the back of an anticipated upswing in the airline's profitability, bureaucrats are expected to travel to China where they will present their new privatisation model in an attempt to garner fresh interest. Amid declining passenger numbers and increased competition out of Zagreb Franjo Tuđman, the sale of the airline is now seen as a priority for the government.