Airlines easyJet in talks with Air Berlin
Several newspaper report, British low-cost carrier easyJet is in talks to buy assets from insolvent German carrier Air Berlin. EasyJet declined to comment on this matter.
Yesterday the struggling carrier announced negotiations with Lufthansa and other partners regarding the acquisition of business units of Air Berlin. The airline stated, these negotiations may be finalized shortly. EasyJet could be interested in parts of the Air Berlin operations. EasyJet could aim to grow at the Air Berlin hub in Berlin Tegel. Currently easyJet operates an own base in Berlin Schönefeld. A switch to Berlin Tegel airport would allow easyJet to leave the high competitive environment of Berlin Schönefeld.
Ryanair, one of the competitors in Berlin Schönefeld, is accusing the German government of a "conspiracy" to "carve up" Air Berlin and is submitting complaints to German competition regulator Bundeskartellamt as well as the European Commission. A possible partly takeover of Air Berlin by easyJet could offer the advantage for Lufthansa to avoid German competition regulations for their takeover.
Thomas Winkelmann, CEO of Air Berlin said yesterday: “We are working tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for the company, our customers and employees, given the situation.” EasyJet operates a fleet of over 240 Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. After the closure of Hamburg, Berlin-Schönefeld will remain the only German easyJet base.
More about
Source © aero.de