SIA kept waiting by China Eastern
SHANGHAI – Loss-making China Eastern Airlines has asked the government for advice before it commits to the sale of a stake to investors. including Singapore Airlines.
The Chinese airline has been in talks with authorities in the hope of clarifying outstanding regulatory issues that could impact on any deal with investors.
China Eastern shares have surged recently in anticipation of a deal with SIA.
According to the Centre for Asia/Pacific Aviation, China Eastern “is in need of a foreign partner to help guide its turnaround and capitalise on the enormous opportunities presented by its location in China’s economic powerhouse, Shanghai.
“SIA is sitting on cash balances of over USD2.5 billion and has indicated that Mainland China is a priority investment target.”
Analysts believe both sides are anxious to complete a deal but they say negotiations have been drawn out because of a disagreement over what the state-owned Chinese airline is worth.
Bankers involved in the deal said the proposed price for a 20-25 per cent stake in the carrier had increased from an estimated US$500m to more than US $800m in the past year, thanks to the spike in the company’s share price.
Rival Air China has been buying up China Eastern stock and holds close to 8.5 per cent of its Shanghai-listed shares.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt