- German carrier Lufthansa and Italian shipping company MSC have expressed an interest in acquiring a majority stake in Alitalia’s successor ITA Airways.
- ITA said it received the declaration of interest and the proposal stipulated that the Italian state, which owns ITA, would retain a minority stake in the company.
Swiss-based shipping group MSC and German carrier Lufthansa LHAG.DE want to buy the majority of Alitalia successor ITA Airways and have asked for an exclusivity period of 90 days to study the deal, reports Reuters.
Airline looking for equity partner
The state-owned airline, which began flying in October last year, is looking for an equity partner and has started informal talks with some potential suitors, in Europe and overseas, its chairman said earlier this month.
MSC said the interest in ITA stemmed from “the possibility of activating positive synergies … both in the cargo and the passenger sector“.
Minority shareholding in company
ITA Airways will examine the details of the expression of interest at a future meeting, the carrier said in a statement.
“Both the MSC and Lufthansa have expressed the wish for the Italian government to maintain a minority shareholding in the company,” ITA added.
Two sources told Reuters on Sunday that Lufthansa was in talks to buy 40% in ITA Airways.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe
Source: Reuters
