newstodate.aero
Aug 29, 2012 (newstodate): The Latvian government has launched efforts to find a new owner of 50 percent minus one share in its national airline, airBaltic, currently owned 99 percent by the state.
But the focus is not solely on financing the airline's future development.
In a TV interview, Latvia's prime minister said that finding a strategic investor for airBaltic takes prime importance, ideally a large airline with a development plan for airline.
This does not, however, preclude potentials for a financial investor if this prime target cannot be met, he said.
So the search is on for a partner airline that sees potentials for airBaltic to fill in a strategic role in its own development plans.
One condition remains, however: the Latvian state will remain the majority owner, if only by one golden share. Otherwise the carrier will lose its status as a EU-carrier.
The tender for attracting non-binding expressions of interest now runs till November 1, 2012.
But the focus is not solely on financing the airline's future development.
In a TV interview, Latvia's prime minister said that finding a strategic investor for airBaltic takes prime importance, ideally a large airline with a development plan for airline.
This does not, however, preclude potentials for a financial investor if this prime target cannot be met, he said.
So the search is on for a partner airline that sees potentials for airBaltic to fill in a strategic role in its own development plans.
One condition remains, however: the Latvian state will remain the majority owner, if only by one golden share. Otherwise the carrier will lose its status as a EU-carrier.
The tender for attracting non-binding expressions of interest now runs till November 1, 2012.