Cathay Pacific kjøper 9,9% av Air China

[CK]

fra ATW-online.com:
Cathay Pacific Airways-Air China proposed equity partnership (ATWOnline, Oct. 21) has been described by one of the region's leading airline analysts as "little short of astonishing." According to Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation founder Peter Harbison, "it changes so many preconceived ideas--about airline, alliance and airport hub relationships--that it will take weeks before the full impact can be understood." Under an MOU unveiled earlier this week, Hong Kong-based Cathay will acquire a 9.9% shareholding in mainland-based Air China at the time of the latter's IPO. The MOU also deals with future cooperation between the two airlines, who are equity partners of a sort in Hong Kong-based Dragonair. Harbison claims that "Lufthansa is one party which will be less than amused. Lufthansa has actively courted Air China for years and was confidently expected to become its partner as a cornerstone for the Star Alliance. By contrast, this must be seen as an important strike for oneworld--assuming, of course, that Cathay remains in that grouping." Harbison also warned that "Shanghai Airport, China Eastern Airlines and Dragonair will not be impressed."--

CAPA:'
Cathay Pacific's Director of Corporate Development, Tony Tyler, stated the airline would continue to pursue additional traffic rights to mainland China, despite the signing of an agreement to purchase 9.9% of Air China and enter into extensive cooperation with the Beijing-based carrier, according to a 21 October Reuters report.