later became SIA building. Breakup The different needs of the two shareholders, however, led to the break-up of the airline just six years later. The Singapore government preferred to develop the airline's international routes, while the Malaysian government preferred to develop a domestic network first before going regional and eventually, long-haul. MSA ceased operations in 1972, with its assets split between two new airlines; Malaysian Airline System Berhad (now Malaysia Airlines), and Singapore Airlines. With Singapore Airlines determined to develop its international routes, it took the entire fleet of seven Boeing 707s and five Boeing 737s which would allow it to continue servicing the regional and long-haul international routes. Since most of MSA's international routes were flown out of Singapore, the vast majority of international routes were in the hands of Singapore Airlines. In addition, MSA's headquarters, which was located in Singapore, became the headquarters of Singapore Airlines. Malaysian Airline System, on the other hand, took all domestic routes within Malaysia and international routes out of the country, as well as the remaining fleet of Fokker F27 Friendships and Britten-Norman BN-2 Islanders. It began flights on 1 October 1972. The initials MSA were well regarded as an airline icon and both carriers tried to emulate them. Malaysian went for MAS by just transposing the last two letters and choosing the name Malaysian Airline System, whereas Singapore originally used the name Mercury Singapore Airlines to keep the MSA initials, but that was blocked following widespread protests in Malaysia. Eventually, the new entity was named SIA instead. Corporate affairs In the 1960s Malaysian Airways was headquartered in Raffles Place, Singapore. By 1971 the headquarters had moved to the MSA Building on Robinson Road in Singapore. Gallery Fleet Over the years, the airline operated many aircraft including: Past destinations Malayan Airways Brunei - Brunei Town Burma - Mergui, Rangoon British Hong Kong Indonesia - Batavia / Djakarta, Medan, Palembang Malaya - Alor Setar, Ipoh, Kota Bharu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Malacca, Penang, Singapore, Taiping Philippines - Manila Sabah- Jesselton, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Tawau Sarawak - Kuching, Sibu, Miri Thailand - Bangkok South Vietnam - Saigon Malaysia–Singapore Airlines Australia Melbourne - Tullamarine Airport Perth - Perth Airport Sydney - Mascot Airport Bahrain Manama - Bahrain International Airport Greece Athens - Ellinikon International Airport British Hong Kong - Kai Tak Airport British Raj / India Bombay - Santacruz International Airport Indonesia Denpasar -