Cathay Pacific (CX, Hong Kong International) has confirmed it has its eye on HK Express (UO, Hong Kong International). Last week, Bloomberg cited sources as saying Cathay Pacific had held preliminary talks with HNA Group about acquiring minority stakes in Hong Kong Express Airways Ltd. and Hong Kong Airlines (HX, Hong Kong International).

In a stock market filing on Tuesday, March 5, clarifying events, Cathay Pacific confirmed only that it was in active discussions about an acquisition involving Hong Kong Express.

"No agreement for the acquisition has been entered into and there can be no certainty that any agreement will be entered into," it said. "Further announcement(s) will be made as and when appropriate."

It made no reference to Hong Kong Airlines.

HK Express is a low-cost carrier operating eight A320ceo, five A320neo, and eleven A321ceo on scheduled flights to 26 cities across China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan, and South Korea.