Yegbey01 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 1678 posts, RR: 3 Posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1160 times:
As we all know, the Lebanese government would like to sell MEA if the rpice is right.
Now, what if EK buys MEA. how would you feel?
I like to think that it would be a good combination. It would give MEA the aircraft it so needs and will allow the combined company to open up a bunch of routes...
Here are a few that EK would really benefit from the BEY potential:
DXB-BEY-BER
DXB-BEY-BRU
DXB-BEY-CPH
DXB-BEY-ARN
DXB-BEY-AMS
DXB-BEY-MAD
dedicated BEY routes:
BEY-SYD
BEY-GRU
BEY-DKR
BEY-ZRH
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 1, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 1136 times:
I think Mohammad El-Hout that they want to sell MEA to Lebanese investers only to keep it a "home" airline.
So I think Emirates or any foreign airline is out of the question. I believe they want multiple Lebanese investers to take a piece of MEA rather than 1 big airline or company owning it.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
AirxLiban From Lebanon, joined Oct 2003, 4491 posts, RR: 55 Reply 2, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1104 times:
What if MEA acquires EK? That would be nice.
Actually I believe that Mohammed El-Hout said that MEA is not quite ready for privatization and then he doesn't anticipate it happen for at least 5 years (this was in 2002).
Yegbey01 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 1678 posts, RR: 3 Reply 3, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1104 times:
BA,
I wasn't aware of the fact that they would only want to sell it to local investors. Air France was a part owner until a few years ago. Maybe, they will want back in.
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 4, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1086 times:
Yegbey01,
Air France had a 20% stake in MEA, but I am pretty sure their plan was always to sell it back to the Lebanese government.
Air France was basically "hired" to "fix-up" MEA and that it why they formed the partnership back in 1998 and that's why they had a 20% stake for a while.
France still looking after Lebanon.
One good thing about colonialism.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
Yegbey01 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 1678 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1027 times:
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 7, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1019 times:
The 0.7% is various private investers. I believe Rafik Hariri has part of that 0.7%.
Anyways, 0.7% of private investers certainly isn't enough to call it a privatized airline.
I don't think you'll see MEA privatized until at least sometime in mid to late 2005 at the earliest.
Regards
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
ToBEYwithMEA From Lebanon, joined Feb 2004, 304 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1003 times:
BA,
I'm a Airbus fan. If MEA do become privatized is there a chance that it will buy Boeings
toBEYwithMEA
Hey Yegbey01,, BA knows the answer to everything!!
Mozart From Luxembourg, joined Aug 2003, 2007 posts, RR: 15 Reply 10, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 964 times:
If Emirates bought ME - which, based on what was said above, sounds rather hypothetical - then maybe EK would finally join an alliance: EK and ME both in Skyteam!
Also, maybe EK would not fully acquire ME, but what if EK bought 49%, and the rest staid with a Lebanese-owned fund or something like that. This relationship could then develop into something like SQ-VS (hardly any commercial/marketing links, an almost purely financial stakeholding), something like LH-BD (distinct brands, but in the same alliance and systematic code-sharing), into something like EK-UL (turning a so-so airline into a premium player, with some commercial cooperation).
Or maybe - although less likely - ME could be taken over by Lebanese investors and then enter into a cross-shareholding with EK.
In any case, right now I am less worried about who could invest into ME. I would first like to see them on a stable and sustainable growth path, i.e. grow the network and the fleet, establish a premium reputation, and like this make itself more attractive to potential investors. A final thought: given the strong seasonality of ME's business on many routes, the ideal investor would be one that has a seasonal business as well, but in winter - great complementarity. Which would be such an airline?
Mozart From Luxembourg, joined Aug 2003, 2007 posts, RR: 15 Reply 12, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 891 times:
toBEYwithMEA, I am afraid you are right, otherwise I would have come up with one already... Even outside the region I cannot think of any airline whose peak is in Northern Hemisphere winter, unless maybe some small commuter airline flying to some ski resorts. But that would be no good for MEA...
FLYSSC From France, joined Aug 2003, 7312 posts, RR: 61 Reply 14, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 828 times:
MEA will never be sold to EK. First because there is no interest for EK to buy MEA... and because even privatized, Lebanon needs a national airline, and MEA will remain in the hands of private Lebanese investors, and will remain THIS national airline. Member of SkyTeam
Yegbey01 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 1678 posts, RR: 3 Reply 16, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 744 times:
Greg,
When was the last time you ever flew MEA to call it "miserable". Their product is as good as EK. Brand new planes. what are you talking about?
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7702 posts, RR: 55 Reply 18, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 740 times:
Emirates aren't going to buy MEA. I think MEA are doing fine, the fleet is gradually expanding and new long haul routes are being considered ie Brazil (presumably via W Africa) and if Air Canada aren't allowed to serve Lebanon, why can't MEA serve Canada (with an AC codeshare)? Wasn't the supposed reason for AC not being allowed to fly last year a function of the aircraft apparently being unsafe while on the ground at Beirut? Therefore, why not operate the flight with MEA metal?
I wouldn't take Greg's comment too seriously. They're one of the best airlines in the world for comfort, service, food, you name it. 149 seats on an A321 says it all. I don't think MEA fly within Texas so I doubt Greg knows what he's talking about.
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
ToBEYwithMEA From Lebanon, joined Feb 2004, 304 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (9 years 3 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 738 times:
No, Yegbey01 let Greg think like that. You're missing out on the most underrated airline in the world Greg give one more shot if you don't like it then sorry man, somethings wrong
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