Stanley Ho buys stake in budget airline

A 33.3 percent stake in Jetstar Hong Kong, a budget carrier jointly established and owned by Qantas Airways Ltd and China Eastern Airlines Corp, was sold to Macau billionaire Stanley Ho to obtain an operating license, sources said.

Shun Tak Holdings Ltd, a Hong Kong-listed company founded by Ho, acquired 33.3 percent of the shares in the newly established airline, according to a statement made by Qantas on Thursday.

The joint venture's operations have been delayed due to failure to get an operating license, but a local company, like Shun Tak Holdings, may help Jetstar Hong Kong get approval, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The low-cost carrier is expected to operate flights between Hong Kong and major cities of the Chinese mainland as well as routes in Southeast Asia.

China Eastern and Qantas will each hold 33.3 percent shares after the deal.