Australia To Relax Some Ownership Caps On Qantas
December 15 2009 - 6:00PM
Dow Jones News
The Australian government will relax some ownership restrictions
on Qantas Airways Ltd. (QAN.AU), but will maintain its 49% foreign
ownership cap, in a move that broadens Qantas' options for future
mergers with foreign carriers while ruling out any full foreign
takeover offer.
The government also said it is considering "more flexible
arrangements" for the ownership of other Australian international
airlines where an approach is made from a nation with which
Australia has negotiated so-called "Open Skies" agreements.
That potentially opens up rival Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd.'s
(VBA.AU) V Australia international arm--which currently has the
same 49% foreign ownership restriction--to corporate activity.
In an aviation policy paper issued Wednesday, the government
said it will remove current restrictions that cap the stake of any
single foreign investor in Qantas at 25%. It will also remove the
restriction that foreign airlines together can't own more than 35%
in total of the national carrier.
"This will increase Qantas' ability to compete for capital and
to have more flexible equity arrangements consistent with other
Australian international airlines," the government said.
It noted an "increasing trend" toward consolidation and equity
alliances among international airlines, triggered in part by a
sharp downturn in the global economy.
"There are opportunities for efficient airlines to take
advantage of this global rationalization and the government
believes that Australia's airlines should be in a position to
participate in this process," the government said. The planned
changes, although paving the way for future mergers, may not
trigger a deal any time soon, however.
Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce said in August he doesn't
expect Australia's national carrier to merge with another airline
for at least a decade.
Merger talks between Qantas and British Airways PLC (BAY.LN)
fell through last year and Qantas also has held merger discussions
with Singapore Airlines Ltd. (C6L.SG) and Malaysian Airline System
Bhd. (3786.KU).
The government also reiterated that it has no immediate plans to
allow foreign carriers on the lucrative route between Australia and
the U.S., currently dominated by Qantas and U.S.-based UAL Corp.'s
(UAUA) United Airlines.
Singapore Airlines Ltd. (C6L.SG) has long coveted access to
route. The government hasn't ruled out allowing such access in
future, but reiterated that it will only consider this after V
Australia has been given "reasonable opportunity" to establish
itself on the route.
Wednesday's white paper on aviation policy also made it clear
Australia will seek significant concessions--by way of additional
commercial access for Australian carriers--from anyone seeking
access to the route.
"The maximum national benefit possible would be sought should
such a trade be contemplated," it said.
-By Rachel Pannett, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-2-6208-0901; rachel.pannett@dowjones.com
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