Indonesia's Sinar Mas, HK's LCNC in talks to buy Mandala Air

JAKARTA Jan 28 (Reuters) - Indonesian conglomerate Sinar Mas Group and Hong Kong-based airplane leasing firm LCNC are each in talks to buy debt-ridden Mandala Airlines after it ceased operations two weeks ago, said Herry Bhakti Singayuda at Indonesia's transport ministry on Friday.

"The talks are ongoing and Mandala will report to the government next week on who will be the new owner," Singayuda, the director general for aviation, told Reuters.

Mandala, a budget carrier serving 13 domestic destinations, suspended all flights on Jan 13 as the company struggled with debt problems. (Reporting by Janeman Latul; Editing by Neil Chatterjee)