Air NZ's stake in Virgin could be easier to sell after Chinese airline buys stake

Air NZ's stake in Virgin could be easier to sell after Chinese airline buys stake
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot May 31 (BusinessDesk) - Air New Zealand’s proposed sale of its 25.99 percent stake in Virgin Australia could be aided by a Chinese airline operator's new stake in Virgin. Virgin Australia today announced a deal worth A$159 million with HNA Aviation Group, which is the largest private operator of airlines in China, with a placement of new shares to subsidiary HNA Innovation giving HNA a 13 percent stake in Virgin. The shares were issued at 30 Australian cents each, a 7.1 percent premium on yesterday's closing price. HNA a...