Asiana offer
Asiana Airlines expects to raise 375 billion won ($325 million) through an initial public offering of 50 million shares. Shares were made available early in December ahead of a listing on South Korea's secondary Kosdaq share market at the end of the month. Public and institutional investors were each offered 40%of the shares, with the remaining going to airline employees.
Thai and MAS profit
Thai Airways, which is awaiting the sale of a 23%stake to a strategic investor, has posted a net profit of Bt5.3 billion ($135 million) for its financial year to September. The result compares with just under Bt4 billion a year ago, but was aided by Bt2.6 billion in aircraft sales and a Bt3 billion gain from an extension in depreciation periods from 14 to 20 years. The Malaysian Airlines (MAS) group also posted a net profit of RM275 million ($72 million) for its first half year to September, turning around a RM441 million loss. Again the bulk of the improvement came from RM865 million in equipment sales. Revenues rose by 5.1%.
ANZ review
New Zealand's new government plans to pursue concerns raised during its recent election campaign about the structure of Brierley Investment's shareholdings in Air New Zealand (ANZ). The new finance ministry plans to re-examine an earlier conclusion that shares held by a local Brierley subsidiary meet foreign ownership rules laid down for ANZ.
New Zealand launch
K2000 Airlines, a new seasonal charter operator in New Zealand, has launched passenger services to Australia and the Cook Islands. The carrier made its first flight in December, with a Boeing 737-400 wet-leased from Pegasus Airlines of Turkey.
Shanghai opening
A joint venture cargo terminal has been formally opened at the new Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The ´479 million ($58 million) terminal is owned 51% by the Shanghai Airport group, 29% by Lufthansa Cargo and 20% by China's JHJ International Forwarding. Its will have annual capacity for 500,000t of cargo.
Source: Airline Business
