Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) has announced that it has lodged an intention to purchase parts of Air Berlin (1991) (Berlin Tegel) following the first meeting of the Creditors' Committee yesterday.

"In the term sheet presented today, the interest in a takeover of parts of the Air Berlin Group was confirmed. The details of the declaration of intent were agreed with the insolvency administrator," the statement said.

Other than confirming that Air Berlin will continue operations while restructuring talks are underway, the negotiations were largely administrative in nature, reports RP Online. However, the committee did decide that it will proceed cautiously before breaking up Air Berlin's assets, a decision which is likely to disappoint Lufthansa. The German carrier has expressed its interest in buying Air Berlin's Austrian subsidiary Niki (Austria) (Vienna) and regional carrier LGW - Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter (Dortmund).

Following the meeting, administrator Frank Kebekus confirmed his commitment to a speedy solution. "We will press ahead with the further negotiations. Our goal is to swiftly reach sustainable financial accounts and to maintain as many jobs as possible," he said.