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Branson: 'A number' of airlines want to get their hands on Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia has no reason to stress about Air New Zealand ditching its shares, because apparently there's a whole line up of other potential buyers.

Virgin Australia has no reason to stress about Air New Zealand ditching its shares, because apparently there’s a whole line up of other potential buyers.

That is, according to Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, who said the Australian brand is currently in discussions with several keen parties.

While the entrepreneur didn’t name any of these suitors, there’s been talks that several Asian airlines are keen to get their hands on a slice of the carrier.

Virgin Australia

“There are discussions going on with them and a number of different parties and we will watch with interest what happens.”

Sir Richard Branson

He hinted that the Virgin Group could also consider increasing its existing 10 percent stake in Virgin Australia, but stressed that “we will have to [wait and] see”.

“I am a great believer in Virgin Australia,” he said.

Air New zealand

Air New Zealand, which is currently the biggest international investor in Virgin Australia, announced in March that it was looking at selling its 26 percent stake in the carrier to focus on self-growth.

A few weeks later, Singapore Airlines decided to increase its hold on the airline, by moving from 22.91 percent to 23.11 percent.

Which airline do you think will snap up those Air NZ shares?