The bidding process for the sale of Asiana Airlines is set to begin this week, said Lee Dong-gul, chairman of Kumho Asiana Group's main creditor, Korea Development Bank, Tuesday. KDB declined to specify details but according to industry sources and media reports, the process could start as early as Wednesday. Aekyung has stated its intention to take over the debt-ridden company. It operates the LCC Jeju Air, but the group is considered too small to be able to acquire Asiana. Conglomerates such as SK, Hanwha, GS, and Lotte said earlier they were not interested, but this is seen as a tactic to keep prices down, and they may join the bid at the last minute. The list of potential buyers is set to be drawn up by September. The bid will likely take place in October or November, when the preferred bidder will be selected <br/>
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Premium travellers on ANA will soon have the option of reclining in their own personal, closed-off space during international flights. At a push of a button, customers can activate barriers partitioning themselves from the aisles and neighbouring passengers. The seating is also equipped with 24-inch monitors capable of playing 4K high-definition videos, a first for any airline, compared to the 17-inch screens now used. The seats, about 1 meter in width, provide double the space of regular business-class seating. ANA will offer the new seats on connections between Tokyo Haneda and London starting Aug 2. They will later be available on other routes, such as those serving New York. These amenities are being rolled out in a bid to stay competitive against the rise of budget carriers. <br/>