Portugal's Hi Fly (5K, Beja) has made a non-binding offer to acquire the airline business from Thomas Cook Group, the Mail on Sunday has reported.

The Portuguese ACMI/charter specialist did not confirm the bid.

Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, and Indigo Partners have previously been reported as interested in buying Thomas Cook's airlines. The German group has confirmed that it had placed a bid for Condor only. An equity fund Triton is reportedly eyeing Thomas Cook's Nordic business.

The British tour operator's airline business includes Thomas Cook Airlines UK, Condor, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia, Thomas Cook Airlines Balearics, and Thomas Cook Aviation. Thomas Cook is looking to sell the airlines, which, in general, are profitable, to raise cash for the struggling tour operator business unit.

Privately-owned Hi Fly currently operates one A321-200, two A330-200s, and three A340-300s. Its subsidiary Hi Fly Malta operates three A319-100s, one A330-300, one A330-900, four A340-300s, and one A380-800.