Brazil's third largest airline, Webjet, is believed to have resumed negotiations with Ryanair about the sale of a stake in the Brazilian carrier pending Congressional action to raise foreign ownership from its current 20% ceiling to 49%.
Preliminary talks between the airlines were launched in September 2009, but suspended earlier this year in view of voting delays following Senate approval to lift the airline foreign ownership ceiling. However, with Congressional approval, the measure is expected to be sanctioned into law at the end of this year or by the first quarter of 2011.
Notwithstanding, Webjet's 20-strong Boeing 737-300 fleet is expected to undergo changes next year with plans to replace its 16 leased aircraft with a mix of 737-700 and -800s.
Source: Flight International
