Etihad denies interest in PAL equity stake

Etihad Airways has rejected reports in the Filipino media that it is interested in acquiring a stake in flag carrier Philippine Airlines. Earlier this month, reports suggested that Philippine Airlines’s 51% shareholder, Lucio Tan, would seek to partner the Emirati carrier once it had successfully closed a deal to acquire San Miguel’s 49% minority stake.Etihad CEO James Hogan said: “We’re not having any talks with Philippine Airlines. Will we look at another [equity stake] this year? I doubt it.”Hogan also dismissed reports that Etihad was also in talks with Malaysia Airlines.