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.