">Forum Views () 
">Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
China Eastern, Shanghai Airline shares suspended  
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
  
 
    
Navigation
Primary Navigation
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
 
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
 
Search
 
 
Search:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
China Eastern, Shanghai Airline shares suspended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Tuesday, June  9
SHANGHAI - Trading in shares of China Eastern Airlines and smaller rival Shanghai Airlines was suspended Monday, though neither carrier would comment on reports they plan to merge.
ADVERTISEMENT
  
  
China Eastern has gotten hundreds of millions of dollars in government aid as it struggles through the economic slowdown. Rumors that China Eastern might tie up with Shanghai Airlines or another competitor have been circulating for months.
"Once things are decided, we will put a company announcement on the Shanghai Stock Exchange Web site. But nothing can be said at this moment," said Zhu Yan, a China Eastern spokesman. Calls to Shanghai-based China Eastern's board secretary, Luo Zhuping, rang unanswered.
Late Monday, the airline issued a statement on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange saying it was in the midst of "planning matters in connection with the material restructuring" of the company and to reducing its debts.
China Eastern will consult relevant government departments, but "uncertainties remain," it said without referring to Shanghai Airlines or any other details.
China Eastern's shares were suspended from trading in both Shanghai and Hong Kong. Shanghai Airlines' Shanghai-traded shares were also suspended.
China Eastern's statement said that its shares would remain suspended for now but that the company would provide weekly updates.
Wang Wanlong, a Shanghai Airlines spokesman also would not comment on a possible tie-up with China Eastern.
"I know nothing," Wang said.
Reports by Hong Kong's South China Morning Post and other newspapers said China's civil aviation administration had ordered the two airlines to merge.
Ownership is one potential problem. China Eastern's main owner is the central government, while Shanghai Airlines' controlling shareholder is the local government in Shanghai.
"They surely are discussing a merger, but which side will get control? That's the key issue," said Qian Qimin, analyst at Shenyin Wanguo Securities in Shanghai.
Like many carriers, both China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines reported losses last year and were already facing troubles before the worst repercussions of the global financial crisis hit China's economy.
Merging the two carriers would reportedly give them more than half the local market, which is also shared with China Airlines, China Southern Airlines and other regional carriers.
Shanghai, China's financial capital, is a key market and the city's plans to host the 2010 World Expo next year is seen as an opportunity for the carriers to boost their profile and business.
China Eastern has so far obtained 7 billion yuan (about $1 billion) in government bailouts, with more to come, while Shanghai Airlines has gotten 1 billion yuan ($147 million).
The government, which plays an active role in industry planning, appears determined to engineer a turnaround for China Eastern, which failed in an earlier attempt to enter an alliance with Singapore Airlines.
Late last year, regulators put aviation industry veteran Liu Shaoyong in charge of revitalizing the company.
China Eastern announced last week that it plans to form a joint-venture airline with the government of southwestern China's Yunnan province, a prime tourism destination.
A consolidation with Shanghai Airlines might give the two airlines an edge through streamlining, but it was unclear if that would be enough to improve China Eastern's competitiveness _ a key aim of the failed equity sale to Singapore Airlines.
"It's clear this is meant to ease the intense competition, but don't think it would work," Qian said. "In a shrinking market, you have to improve service."
China Eastern's Shanghai-traded shares rose 1.1 percent on Friday to 5.33 yuan. They have risen 29 percent so far this year. Shanghai Airlines' shares rose 4.4 percent on Friday to 5.92 yuan. Its shares are up 35 percent so far this year.
___
Associated Press researcher Ji Chen contributed to this report.
 
 
 
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
 
 
     
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
 
Related Articles: China's Economy
World Bank's Zoellick cautious on global outlookReuters - 2 hours 27 minutes ago
China Eastern, Shanghai Airline shares suspendedAP - Tuesday, June  9
Oil drops below $68 as rally loses steamAP - Tuesday, June  9
STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Addax shares jump on Sinopec bid reportReuters - Tuesday, June  9
Related Articles: Business
UPS won't furlough pilots till at least April 2010AP - 1 hour 45 minutes ago
Burned retirees sue Madoff trustee over claimsAP - 1 hour 47 minutes ago
World Bank's Zoellick welcomes efforts on yuanReuters - 1 hour 57 minutes ago
Bankruptcy court allows Asarco to set up custodial trustsReuters - 2 hours 13 minutes ago
Legal quirk lets anyone sue firms over old patentsAP - 2 hours 21 minutes ago
 
 
 
 
Related Full Coverage
 
 
 
 
 
 
 China Economy
 
china economy
 
 
All Full Coverage
 
 
 
 
Most Popular – Business
 
 
 
 
 
 Viewed
 
 
 
 
Life, health insurers invest big in tobacco
 
 
President Obama's French food tested by 'taster'
 
 
Carradine may have died from sex act: Thai police
 
 
Hopes worst of crisis over fuel market rally: bank body
 
 
Susan Boyle out of London clinic: brother
 
 
View Complete List »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy 
- Terms of Service 
- Community 
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy 
- Help
        
    
   
 
Other News on Tuesday,  9 June 2009 Hezbollah accepts election loss  
Brazil finds key piece from downed Air France jet  
Sweden's political pirates show web's election power  
U.S. pushes for Israeli-Palestinian discussions  
Obama speeds up stimulus spending  
Twitter denies settling baseball manager's lawsuit  
Europe's right wing cheered by election win  
Gunmen kill 10, wound 12 in Thai mosque attack
| International
|  
Apple to unveil new iPhone, give rare glimpse of Jobs  
Faster banking sector 'cleansing' needed: IMF head  
Iraq: Bombing of minibus in Shiite area kills 9  
It will take 'considerable' time to end crisis: Obama  
Real IRA chief liable for Omagh bombing: court  
Pope visibly upset over Irish abuse report
| International
|  
Iraq says 4 US contractors detained, not 5  
4 Palestinians with explosives-laden horses killed  
U.S. pushes for Israeli-Palestinian discussions
| International
|  
Climate bill to pay hundreds of dollars in rebates  
Former NH Sen. Smith to run for Senate in Fla.  
Apple cuts iPhone to $99, Jobs nowhere in sight
| Technology
|  
Minn. regulators drop bid to block online gambling  
Indonesia says to ratify nuclear treaty after US  
Tech cos enlist Democrat to blast Obama tax plan
| Technology
|  
Gunmen kill 11 at mosque in southern Thailand: officials  
Analysis: Obama woes no match for other presidents  
Gunmen kill 10 in Thai mosque attack  
Pulling malaria from mosquitoes to fight disease  
Weak commodity prices tug stocks lower after rally  
China requires PCs to come with anti-porn software  
Conn. widow: foul play possible in cruise case  
Detained Pakistanis seek to stay in Britain  
Midwest Feels Record-Setting Lows In June  
Centuries-old slate discovered at Jamestown dig  
Thai police: FBI can observe Carradine probe  
New Poll Finds Few Iranians Have Favorable Opinion Of U.S.  
Judge skeptical he can get involved in UAE case  
Kim Jong Il's sister makes rare public appearance  
U.S. Under Secretary Of State To Visit India This Week  
Lawyer: Ex-Detroit mayor's payments back on track  
Flaherty Warns Canadian Mayors Over Getting Even With American Buy Policy  
First cases of swine flu in Indian capital  
New Orleans Mayor Nagin Quarantined In China Amid Swine Flu Scare  
Sister of NKorea's Kim makes rare appearance  
McDonald's Delivers 5.1 Percent Jump In May Same-Store Sales  
Apple sinks after aggressive iPhone pricing report
| Technology
|  
U.S. Applauds Pro-Western Win In Lebanon  
South Korea confirms 48th case of swine flu  
American Diabetes Association Pushes For A1C Testing  
David Carradine's Family Outraged Over Leak Of Death Photo  
Obama's "Second 100 Days" Plan To Boost Health Care Spending, Jobs  
`Hangover' takes No. 1 box-office spot over `Up'  
Thai police will know how Carradine died in one month  
Hollywood to portray Kenya's "Pirate Whisperer"  
Tata Steel downgraded on weakness of UK unit  
China Eastern, Shanghai Airline shares suspended  
Disney rolls out plans for D23 Expo for fans  
China requires PCs to come with anti-porn software  
Paris Hilton bringing her reality series to Dubai  
China ready to help finance Philippine projects  
Hollywood actors seen approving new labor pact  
Baron Cohen MTV landing was staged, writer says  
Indonesian police say 3 shot dead in Papua raid  
Rapper DMX gets probation on assault charge
| Entertainment
|  
Taiwan exports down 31.4 percent in May  
American Idol winner Kris Allen signs record deal
| Entertainment
|  
Music Review: Snider finds humor in tough times  
`Billy Elliot' wins 10 Tonys; `Carnage' best play  
Pete Doherty fined by police in Geneva
| Entertainment
|  
'Tajik Jimmy' sings his way to fame in Russia  
Music Review: BEPs bring summer fun with `E.N.D.'  
Madrid's Thyssen museum shows 'intimate' Matisse  
Vogue fights crisis with global fashion celebration  
French playwright triumphs at Tony awards  
Review: Book critic threatens writer in `Thriller'  
B'way ticket availability through Sunday, June 14  
Country artists try to build their base abroad  
US allies defeat Hezbollah in Lebanon vote  
Journalists' families ask North Korea for leniency
| International
|  
Apple unveils new iPhone without Steve Jobs  
British PM's respite as he faces down party rebels  
We failed to follow bombing rules: Pentagon  
US-TECH Summary  
Four dead, nine missing in Ukraine coal mine accident  
U.S. envoy begins new Middle East peace push
| International
|  
UN chief urges Iraqis not to revert to revenge  
Canadian soldier among 23 killed in Afghan violence  
Most firms unaware of Web domain changes: survey  
Boston Globe union votes on wage cuts  
Sri Lanka turns back aid ship that entered illegally
| International
|  
Newspaper industry struggling under twin 'storms'  
Iran reformists rally as election looms  
U.S. envoy sees Pakistanis backing fight vs Taliban
| International
|  
For Colbert in Iraq, tonight's Word is `haircut'  
Crews find more bodies from Air France crash
| International
|  
Tech cos enlist Democrat to blast Obama tax plan  
Iraqi Shiites try to revive sectarian coalition  
Iraqi cops train to hunt militants with DNA and dogs
| International
|  
Pentagon admits problems with Afghan air strike
| International
|  
China to require software on PCs to block sites  
Climate bill to pay hundreds of dollars in rebates  
Canon revives new plant as camera sales hold firm  
Sony joins Universal, YouTube for music video site  
Nokia Siemens, Juniper to form carrier ethernet JV  
Sony keeps PS3 price cut deliberation close to vest  
Sony Ericsson unveils two "greener" phones  
34 illegal immigrants found in Phoenix drop house  
Nokia popularity fading among teens: survey  
Clinton, families urge N.Korea on jailed reporters  
U.S. intel chief cites Pakistan army gains in Swat  
NZ records 2 fresh cases of swine flu, tally 19  
Economy forces 2009 grads to dump dream colleges  
SKorean firm pulls out from complex in NKorea  
Investigators warn bank stress tests not enough  
Taliban cornered in NW Pakistan by angry locals  
Sony lifts curtain on new PSP  
Boston Globe union votes against pay, benefit cuts  
Apple halves iPhone to $99, trims Mac prices
| Technology
|  
U.S. envoy sees Pakistanis backing fight vs Taliban  
Sheriff: Michigan mother kills 2 boys, herself  
Most firms unaware of Web domain changes: survey
| Technology
|  
New Australia ministers sworn in after reshuffle  
Funeral held for soldier killed in Ark. attack  
Thai army chief visits mosque where 11 killed  
Feds restore recognition to Calif. Indian tribe  
SKorean nuclear envoy says he will visit China  
Official: NKorean events potentially dangerous mix  
Journalists' families ask North Korea for leniency  
CIA urges judge to keep detainee papers secret  
Kyra Sedgwick receives 'Walk of Fame' star  
Pakistan sells 10 billion rupees of T-bills  
Pakistan's 2009/10 budget  
Reports: China's Sinopec mulling takeover of Addax  
Glaxo chief sees 'anemic' global economy  
S.Korea regulator urges extra bank capital-raising  
Lincoln Center names real estate exec as new chair  
Reports: China Eastern Airlines mulling merger  
Three women off to paddle across the Atlantic  
Taiwan dollar falls on foreign fund outflows  
Bradley Cooper segues from "Hangover" to "A-Team"  
Korea Hot Stocks  
Key hearing set in Anna Nicole Smith death case
| Entertainment
|  
Macedonia's great Alexander statue vexes Greece  
S.Korea bond traders see no rate change on Thur  
Letterman, CBS close to deal for 3 more years  
China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines to merge: state  
Letterman, CBS close to deal for 3 more years
| Entertainment
|  
"My Name Is Earl" in talks for second life on TBS  
My Name Is Earl in talks for second life on TBS
| Entertainment
|  
Singer-songwriter Kenny Rankin dead of lung cancer  
Bradley Cooper segues from Hangover to A-Team
| Entertainment
|  
"Hangover" pulls "Up" back to No. 2 at box offices  
Rock festivals fighting financial washout  
Rock festivals fighting financial washout
| Entertainment
|  
Hangover pulls Up back to No. 2 at box offices
| Entertainment
|  
Kyra Sedgwick receives 'Walk of Fame' star  
Vitamin A capsules, Deworming Tablets Sicken 200 Kids In Bangladesh  
Red Carpet Photographer Compared Blake Lively To A Llama  
Singer Katy Perry Admits She's Obsessed With Her Cat  
Actor Mickey Rourke "Petrified" When He First Saw Breasts  
Ashton Kutcher Freaked By Wife Demi Moore's Contemporary Doll Collection  
Toronto Hospital Uses Nintendo Wii To Help Patients Recover From Knee Replacement Surgery  
DVD Jon Places Ad For 'Work-Around' iTunes Program Below San Francisco Apple Store  
Porsche in exclusive talks with Qatar on stake  
US frees Iraqi accused in 5 soldier deaths  
Russia source says North Korea readying launches: report
| International
|  
Computer injuries on rise, youths most at risk: study  
U.S. envoy assures Israel of strong alliance  
German exports and output plunge  
Fiat vows to stick with Chrysler deal  
US envoy begins Mideast peace push  
Website offers True/Slant on news  
German exports drop but analysts hopeful  
EU commission chief stands for second mandate  
Thai authorities hunt gunmen in mosque attack
| International
|  
Gates to focus on Afghan war at NATO talks  
Air France agrees to replace A330 monitors: pilots  
Saudis gleeful at Lebanon vote, now look to Iran
| International
|  
Arms dealers revel in Somali war business
| International
|  
Sri Lanka sends 2,000 war refugees home
| International
|  
Myanmar court upholds ban on two Suu Kyi witnesses
| International
|  
US climate envoy meets Chinese on emission deal  
Reformist cleric says won't stand down in Iran vote
| International
|  
Pilots admired Hudson River before striking birds  
Hawaii archives holds mystery Lincoln document  
FAA to inspect pilot training at regional airlines  
China to require software on PCs to block sites
| Technology
|  
China reports 9 more cases of swine flu  
Hudson River co-captain worried about air safety  
Pakistani army backs up militia fighting Taliban  
'Guerrilla drive-ins' turn nostalgia on its head  
Global chip foundry sales to rise: iSuppli
| Technology
|  
Qaeda suspect taken from Guantanamo to New York  
Hong Kong police investigate acid attacks  
Nigeria victims hail $15.5 mln Shell payout  
US climate envoy meets Chinese on emission deal  
Death of Somali teen a mystery to Minnesota family  
India peace deal urges Pakistan on militants  
Obama and 'Blue Dogs' address 'paygo' system  
China seizes van with 173 bear paws, python skin  
Minority lawmakers to highlight health disparities  
China extends detention of top dissident: lawyer  
Myanmar court set to rule on witnesses for Suu Kyi  
Land mine kills Filipino soldier, wounds 2 others  
Chinese steel group opposes Rio-BHP venture  
China auto sales surge 47 percent in May  
WTO chief sees new world trade deal by 2010  
Emirates airline confident of staying profitable  
Airline chiefs dismiss safety fears over A330 jets  
John Woo on a new mission: boosting Chinese films
| Entertainment
|  
The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes  
Thai Airways may cancel A380 superjumbo order  
Disney's unflappable Donald Duck turns 75  
Satyam reveals Dec-end quarter profit at 38m dlr  
Katee Sackhoff to co-star on 24
| Entertainment
|  
In troubled times, America keeps station wagons rolling  
Q+A-How will Pakistan budget cope with recession, insurgency?  
Swearing TV chef rebuked by Australian PM
| Entertainment
|  
Japan stocks fall as investors turn cautious  
Ska band The Specials plan British reunion tour
| Entertainment
|  
Sumptuous Whistler show on display at NYC's Frick  
Despite success, Griffin says she's a D-lister  
Indonesian lawmakers scrutinized for jewelry gifts  
'Guerrilla drive-ins' turn nostalgia on its head  
Jenny and Bryan raise their new sextuplet co-stars  
Country stars decorate guitars for Opry charity  
Sweden's free-Web Pirate Party captures Euro seat  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights