All Nippon Airways Buys 9.5% Stake In Philippine Airlines

@PVM. There was a recent article lately where SIA just recently blamed Virgin Australia's recent quarterly loss in the last quarter for a profit downturn in SIA group's own last quarterly period. Every time there's an article on SQ "buying a further stake in VA" which occurs every year, it always turns out to be a fizzer. I would not be surprised if SQ actually wanted out of VA. Also the Australian government will not let 5th freedom airlines on the Trans-Pac route, plus there are already 5 airlines basically operating as 3 entities. QF/AA, VA/DL and UA. There's been parties including NH and long-time VA's BFF DL playing the "long game" and being coy whether they would buy either the HNA or EY stakes in VA.

@Eric: PAL possibly being able to ride on ANA's favorable aircraft purchase terms would be a positive prospect. I'm not expecting too much though, as I see ANA really pursuing growth themselves.

Well, The World Bank defines Philippines as on track to be a middle-income country by 2019, so its not technically classified as a poor low income country. http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/overview Does it conform to the western ideal as wealthy?, probably not, but there are many good macroeconomic fundamentals and a booming domestic economy thats thriving through other avenues than just OFW remittances. If anything, there is more of a local perception of wealth and income that conforms to a Philippine/Asian standard than a North American/European ideal. This is coming from someone who has Filipino family and knows how complicated the situation is in the Philippines More Filipinos today are able to enjoy and appreciate that simple luxuries we take for granted. *** Back on topic, I'm exciting for this partnership! I think there will be a lot of exciting synergies and growth for both Airlines. In one article I read, one thing PAL is hoping for in this relationship is joint cooperation on aircraft purchasing agreements with ANA for favorable terms. With ANA as a shareholder, they might be able to acquire and expand their fleet even more aggressively than they have been the past couple of years.

Sorry Mike Jones but as an American married to a Filipina who goes to the Philippines every year and is planning on retiring there I must say the Philippines is still a poor and in many ways underdeveloped country. Most of the recent infrastructure is being financed by the Chinese, Koreans and Japanese. The average Filipino has never been on an airplane. There is a growing but still very small middle class. Much of the money in the Philippines is due to OFW remittances. Without that the Philippines would really be in bad shape. PAL needs to expand to Seattle, Las Vegas and other cities in America in order to generate more revenue. There are a lot of Filipinos who travel from the US there every year and most of them do not take PAL due to a lack of flights, cities served and high cost even for economy. PAL needs to join one of the alliances sooner than later. And as for you Debit another irrelevant, ignorant comment from a true moron!

@Debit: And you would know, you Big Perv