ANA is engaged in talks with Philippine Airlines for a strategic investment in PAL, although a deal is yet to be finalised. ANA said it is “in discussion with PAL Holdings but we have not made a concrete decision yet. The carrier “continually reviews its market strategy and considers investment opportunities that would fit our mid-term corporate strategy for FY2018-2022.” PAL, meanwhile, confirmed that “talks are ongoing with possible strategic investors, but we have nothing final to report at this point.” The airline said it will make an announcement “once a deal is sealed.” PAL CE Jaime Bautista has recently said the airline is targeting the first half of 2019 to close a deal with a strategic investor. Japan’s Nikkei Asian Review reported that ANA is considering purchasing a 10% stake in PAL. <br/>
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United Airlines will take delivery of 40 mainline aircraft in 2019, the most in a single year since its merger with Continental Airlines nearly a decade ago. The carrier will take 20 new Boeing 737 Max 9s, 2 Boeing 777-300ERs and 8 Boeing 787-10s, as well as 10 used Airbus A319s, in 2019, it says in an employee newsletter Tuesday. It will also take delivery of 25 Embraer 175s for its regional fleet. Since 2010, United's new deliveries peaked at 35 mainline aircraft in 2014. Aircraft acquisitions will help push United's adjusted capital expenditures to US$4.7b in 2019, a January investor update forecasts. This is up from $4.2b last year, and more than double the $2b in 2014. The 40 aircraft due this year will "support our network growth while at the same time providing a better customer experience and reducing costs", United says. <br/>