Singapore Airlines SIA is looking a likely winner in the on-going battle for Australasia's skies despite Qantas having entered the fray to acquire Brierley Investment's stake in Air New Zealand ANZ.
Regardless of the outcome, it should wind up in partnership with ANZ andor ANZ unit Ansett Australia AA and possibly Virgin Australia, Sir Richard Branson's planned no-frills airline which is poised for take-off this summer. SIA has an option to acquire a 49% stake in Virgin Australia - independent of Virgin Atlantic Airways in which SIA already has a 49% holding - though this expires at the end of this month.
Nonetheless, the Qantas move has succeeded...
