Majority of Air Berlin Likely to Be Sold Off to Lufthansa

MUNICH—The disposition of Air Berlin, which filed for bankruptcy in August of this year, may soon be resolved.

German newsmagazine Der Spiegel reported on Friday that Lufthansa will acquire the majority of the insolvent airline’s assets.

Several parties including low-cost carrier Easyjet, holiday airline Condor, and former racecar driver and airline entrepreneur Niki Lauda are reportedly interested in acquiring the remaining assets. British Airways’ parent IAG, which had previously expressed interest, is out of the running, however.

Air Berlin filed for bankruptcy after its largest shareholder, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad, said it would pull the plug on financing the carrier. The move came after years of unsuccessful turnaround attempts at the Berlin-based carrier and comes at the height of the summer travel season.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)