U-Lane to buy PAL jets

U-Lane to buy PAL jets

TAIPEI (DPA): Taiwan's U-Lane Airlines plans to take over some of the business of the closed Philippine Airlines (PAL) through its joint venture airline in the Philippines, the company said Friday.

U-Lane said it plans to buy 10 wide-body Boeing passenger jets to lease to Air Philippines to service Asian, European and American destinations, including the Manila-Taipei route.

In July, U-Lane joined Air Philippines by taking 40 percent of the latter's stake and leasing two 165-seat MD-82 aircraft, together with pilots and crew.

After PAL shut down Wednesday, President Joseph Estrada said he had borrowed nine planes for Air Philippines, a small domestic airline, to take over routes grounded by the closure of PAL, the Philippines' flag carrier.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's two leading airlines said Friday they will increase Taipei-Manila flights if there is the demand.

Taiwan's EVA Air denied foreign press reports that it is seeking to buy PAL's business, saying there had been no contact with PAL.