EasyJet has formally entered the race to acquire parts of stricken Air Berlin.
The UK low-cost carrier confirmed that it had submitted a proposal to the overseers of Air Berlin’s insolvency to acquire parts of its short haul business.
No further details were disclosed but the formal offer pitches easyJet against Lufthansa and former Formula One motor racing world champion Niki Lauda, making a joint bid with Thomas Cook’s German airline Condor.
EasyJet said: “The proposal is consistent with easyJet’s focused, city-based strategy in Germany.
“However, given a number of uncertainties associated with Air Berlin, there is no certainty at this stage that any transaction will proceed.”
A further update will be provided in due course “if and when appropriate”.
A committee of Air Berlin’s creditors is to discuss the bids on Thursday with a final decision on who to sell to pushed back to September 25, the day after Germany’s federal election and four days later than previously planned.
Air Berlin, Germany’s second-biggest airline after Lufthansa, filed for bankruptcy last month after major shareholder Etihad Airways withdrew funding following years of losses.
More:
Air Berlin sale to Lufthansa ‘a stitch-up’