Former owner of Niki (Austria) (Vienna), Niki Lauda, has revealed that he'll be making a bid for the Air Berlin (1991) subsidiary alongside partners Thomas Cook Group and Condor (DE, Frankfurt International). Speaking with Austria's Kurier, Lauda said that he himself would hold a 51% share in the consortium.
In the great Air Berlin fire sale that is currently in progress, Lauda is hoping to carve out the solvent Niki and twenty-one of its A320 and A321s, as well as seventeen Air Berlin aircraft. Under the proposed partnership, Thomas Cook would ensure fleet use optimisation, while Condor would provide operational support.
"As we have said previously, Thomas Cook and its leisure airline Condor stand ready to play an active role in the restructuring of Air Berlin and its subsidiary Niki. Clearly, we will explore all options," a Thomas Cook spokesman told Reuters.
Responding to ongoing but unofficial strikes by pilots who are calling in sick, Lauda said the move was 'pure poison', adding that it could push Air Berlin to bankruptcy before it is sold. Bids for the insolvent airline close on Friday September 15 and a decision by administrators regarding the sale is expected by next week.
