This compilation of the ownership of the world's major airlines is the most comprehensive published by Airline Business to date and lists details for 194 airlines, including the world's 150 largest airlines by sales and a number of smaller players. Only shareholdings above 3 per cent are included.
This year saw some significant privatisations, notably in South America and the Caribbean where major shareholdings were sold in Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano, Ecuatoriana, Pluna of Uraguay, Trinidad & Tobago-based BWIA and Air Jamaica. And national carrier LanChile finally received clearance to take a 56.9 per cent controlling stake in smaller rival Ladeco.
Elsewhere, Qantas completed its flotation while Air New Zealand continued to pursue a stake in Ansett Australia. In Europe, Air France sold its stake in Sabena back to the Belgian state, enabling Swissair to buy a 49.5 per cent share in the Belgian carrier and gain access to a European Union hub. Finnair continued to dilute its level of government ownership through an $88 million share issue. In France Air Liberté continued to make clear its interest in taking over AOM by buying a controlling interest from Crédit Lyonnais.
And in the US there was vibrant interest in talks between USAir and both United and American about a possible merger.
At presstime the carriers with fairly definite timetables for privatisation included China Southern, El Al, Kenya Airways and LOT. Among those with less immediate plans were Ghana Airways, Nigeria Airways, Egyptair, Saudia and Royal Jordanian.
Though progress is slow, privatisation is gradually seeping through the ranks of the major airlines. Of the 180 carriers listed in our main table, only 63 airlines or 35 per cent are majority owned by governments. A further 18 have minority government holdings.
Though progress is slow, privatisation is gradually seeping through the ranks of the major airlines. Of the 180 carriers listed in our main table, only 63 airlines or 35 per cent are majority owned by governments. A further 18 have minority government holdings.
Source: Airline Business
