Qantas may buy into airline in Vietnam

David Marr <dgm405@coombs.anu.edu.au>

date Jan 24, 2007 2:27 PM

subject [Vsg] Qantas may buy into airline in Vietnam

The Melbourne Age has an article reporting that Qantas in negotiating

with Pacific Airlines in Vietnam to buy a major stake. This could

set the cat among the pigeons, as Vietnam Airlines has so far managed

to maintain its domestic quasi-monopoly and ticket prices have

soared. At present Pacific has only two planes, which gives you an

idea of its poor-relation status. Qantas would pay for more planes

and help make Pacific a no-frills alternative to VN

Airlines. Needless to say, the Party will make the final decision.,

which should be interesting test of policy priorities. The fact that

Qantas has gone public now either means that a deal has almost been

reached, or that it's going sour and QF is trying a last-ditch press

assault.

David Marr