Air China-Cathay deal tipped to go ahead

Zhang Jing, an analyst at Philip Securities (HK) in Shanghai is quoted in Asian media saying Beijing-based Air China expects to win regulatory approval for the sale of a 49 per cent stake in its cargo unit to affiliate Cathay Pacific.

Operations under the new structure could begin as soon as the second half of the year, he said.

However, he was not as confident that discussions on combining the air-freight operations of China's big three carriers would be fruitful.

"There is no consensus yet whether that is feasible and if it can achieve its (growth) objective," he said.

Air China-Cathay deal tipped to go ahead

Zhang Jing, an analyst at Philip Securities (HK) in Shanghai is quoted in Asian media saying Beijing-based Air China expects to win regulatory approval for the sale of a 49 per cent stake in its cargo unit to affiliate Cathay Pacific.

Operations under the new structure could begin as soon as the second half of the year, he said.

However, he was not as confident that discussions on combining the air-freight operations of China's big three carriers would be fruitful.

"There is no consensus yet whether that is feasible and if it can achieve its (growth) objective," he said.