CHINA Eastern Airlines has softened its stance on the impossibility of considering a bid from Air China's parent company for a partnership with the country's flagship carrier.

China Eastern said on Monday that it would "seriously consider" the bid from China National Aviation Holding Company, the Beijing News reported yesterday.

A source with the board of China Eastern's listing arm told Xinhua news agency yesterday that the carrier "is willing to study any sincere bid that conforms with legal procedures and is better than Singapore Airlines's offer."