Cathay Pacific (CX, Hong Kong International) has been named as the latest Asian carrier to have expressed an interest in some, if not all, of Ai New Zealand's stake in Virgin Australia (VA, Brisbane International).
Following earlier revelations that China Southern Airlines (CZ, Guangzhou) and Hainan Airlines (HU, Haikou) have already engaged Australian investment banks to represent their interests, the Australian Financial Review says the Hong Kong-based carrier has now also thrown its hat into the ring. But its chief executive Ivan Chu has denied his carrier is interested.
US operators Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson) and United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) have already discounted themselves from the sales process.
The report indicates Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland International) has expressed a willingness to conclude the sales process by the time it closes off its accounts on June 30.
