The talks about a tie-up between Germany’s partly state-owned Lufthansa and ITA Airways are still ongoing with all outcomes possible, one of the sources said on condition of anonymity, adding the stake price was still under negotiation.
The second source said Lufthansa and ITA were in talks over a 40 per cent stake sale, but it could take longer than a few days to reach a comprehensive deal.
A Lufthansa spokesperson declined to comment, but reiterated an earlier statement that the German carrier was open to the possibility of a partnership with ITA.
Italian daily Il Foglio reported on Saturday that the two companies could present a deal on a 40 per cent stake next week as they were very close to agreeing over some key terms, such as the role of Rome’s Fiumicino airport as a hub for direct flights to Africa and some routes to the Americas.
Sources told Reuters on January 12 that the Italian carrier was in contact with Lufthansa, British Airways and United States-based Delta Air Lines for an equity partnership, adding that formal talks could start by the end of March.
Delta said on January 13 it has no plans to invest in ITA.
The German government currently holds 14 per cent of Lufthansa shares following a bailout at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and aims to sell its stake by October 2023 at the latest.
The group was saved from bankruptcy by Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium with €9 billion (RM42.7 billion) in financial support approved by the European Commission.
A German economy ministry spokesperson declined to comment.
A deal with ITA would be subject to approval by the European Union’s competition watchdog. — REUTERS
