Sydney Airport says SIA eyes terminal
SYDNEY, July 22 (Reuters) - Sydney Airports Corp Ltd said on Monday it had held talks with the Star Alliance group of carriers, led by Singapore Airlines , about leasing terminal space at Australia's biggest airport.
The Star Alliance is the fourth group to express interest in the terminal as speculation grows that Singapore Airlines plans to launch a third Australian domestic carrier by the end of this year.
"We've had discussions with the Singapore Airlines-led group about access to the former Ansett terminal and whether there would be terminal gates and passenger lounges available for them," Sydney Airports spokesman Peter Gibbs told Reuters.
Gibbs also said the Star Alliance group had been talking to Melbourne and Brisbane airport authorities.
Sydney Airports purchased the terminal space in May after the collapse of the nation's second largest carrier, Ansett Australia, left the facility empty.
It plans to covert the terminal into a multi-user facility which can be used by a number of airlines. The terminal is scheduled to re-open by September.
Qantas Airways Ltd and Richard Branson's Virgin Blue have also put their hands up for the terminal space as both struggle with congestion in existing terminals due to extra traffic following Ansett's collapse last year.
Gibbs also said Sydney Airports had been approached by regional Australian carrier Australiawide Airlines about the terminal space.
The Sydney Airports board will meet on Friday to discuss the terminal space.
Singapore Airlines shares were 40 cents weaker at S$12.70 on Monday. Qantas was up two cents or 0.5 percent at A$4.45 in a lower overall market.