Lufthansa and easyJet are reported to have been named as possible buyers of Air Berlin’s operations by a creditors committee charged with overseeing the airline’s bankruptcy proceedings.
Negotiations with the parties are expected to last three weeks with the hope that a final conclusion can be reached by October 12.
A decision on the future of insolvent Air Berlin’s 140 leased aircraft and 8,000 staff is due to be made today (Monday).
Sources close to developments indicate Lufthansa’s bid is said to amount to €300 million of which €200 million would be used to buy Air Berlin including its leisure arm Niki. The remaining €100 million will be used to maintain operations.
EasyJet has confirmed that it is interested in “parts” of Air Berlin’s short-haul business.
A report in the Bild am Sonntag newspaper in Germany, indicates that even if a deal is reached with either of the two, it could be a further three months before it is implemented due to requirements for regulatory approval.
Take off and landing slots at Dusseldorf airport are thought to be among the assets sought by Lufthansa and easyJet
Air Berlin has started trimming its long-haul operations as part of cost-cutting measures.
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Lufthansa poised for partial takeover of Air Berlin