AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines (J2, Baku Heydar Aliev International) as well as AZAL Cargo (Baku Heydar Aliev International) and Silk Way Airlines (ZP, Baku Heydar Aliev International) have rejected reports in the Lithuanian media that they have expressed an interest in acquiring a 49% stake in Air Lituanica (Vilnius). Lithuania's Delfi newsiwre earlier this week reported that the Azerbaijanis were keen to invest in the airline albeit only under certain conditions.
According to Central Asian Aero News, the carrier has reportedly encountered a rough patch and is in talks with creditors concerning debt repayment schedules. It has also begun talks with possible investors.
However, AZAL Cargo spokesman, Maharram Safarli, rejected the notion of talks between the two sides as fanciful.
“A while ago, a Lithuanian delegation met with AZAL President Jahangir Asgerov in Baku. The Lithuanian side offered to launch flights between Azerbaijan and Lithuania. AZAL President noted that Azerbaijan is ready to provide any support to Lithuania in this regard. However, no concrete step has been taken. Above all, the acquisition of Air Lituanica by Azerbaijan was not a topic of the discussion”, Safarli told the Azerbaijan Press Agency.
Air Lituanica is majority owned by the Air Vilnius Group which in turn is owned by Šiaurės miestelis, a subsidiary of the Vilnius City Municipality.
