Dieösterreichische daughter of insolvent airline air-Berlin, Niki, has filed for bankruptcy. The spokeswoman DerBerliner civil courts confirmed entrance of a entsprechendenAntrags at Charlottenburg District Court. The court must now examine wher application for opening of insolvency proceedings is admissible, court spokeswoman said.
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Previously, DieLufthansa had made a withdrawal in planned takeover of Niki. As a reason for withdrawal, group stated that EU Commission could not expect a rapid release of acquisition. The authority had relied on antitrust concerns about resulting market power of Lufthansa and demanded concessions.
Air Berlin said that anor buyer could not be found in short term. The flight operation of Niki will be discontinued from now on. After insolvency Declaration, Austrian trade union Vida called for crisis talks. In view of danger for around 1,000 jobs, re must be rapid solutions to keep planes in air, said chairman of Vida Aviation division, Johannes Schwarcz.
Air Berlin accused European Commission of not being able to understand its position. The General Plenipotentiary Frank Steffi criticized that failure of Niki’s sale and bankruptcy of Niki Aviation GmbH were “extremely annoying and could have been avoided.” Lufthansa was only bidder to show solutions for complex issues.
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After first concerns of EU Commission, Air Berlin once again contacted potential prospects such as Thomas Cook and British Airways mor IAG, Steffi said. Neir IAG nor Thomas Cook had any suitable offers. So Commission knew that “re was no alternative to selling Niki to Lufthansa,” said Steffi. With “uncontrolled collapse” of Austrian holiday-flyer, Commission is reaching exact opposite of what it intends to do.
The Austrian government announced return VonPassagieren from abroad in event that passengers were stranded with an attitude of airline company. According to Ministry of Transport in this case, Austrian Airlines or AndereFluggesellschaften are to be commissioned, necessary payments will be financed by Austrian Government. Details would have to be clarified.
Air Berlin had recently stated that, according to EigenenAngaben, we are currently investigating “recycling alternatives” for Niki. Sohatte after withdrawal of Lufthansa former racing driver UndGründer of airline, Niki Lauda, expressed interest. “I’vebeen interested and would take care of it,” he said. Previously, Lauda had signalled interest in Air Berlin subsidiary as part of a bidder, was abergescheitert. According to creditors ‘ committee, only Lufthansa was eligible for rescue of Niki. Niki has been dependent on Lufthansa for months, so far group has supported Air Berlin subsidiary with a double-digit million amount.
Repayment of government credit endangered
In recent months, companies such as Thomas Cook and British Airways parent company IAG have shown interest in Niki. The acquisition of or Air Berlin subsidiary, LG Walter, was to be held, Lufthansa said. However, European Commission must also agree to this purchase.
The sale of remains of Air Berlin also depends on loan of 150 million euros granted by federal government to bankrupt airline in August. This should allow Air Berlin to maintain its flight operations by end of November. Government spokesman Steffen Sally said: “Alternative buyers for Niki were and still are not available, despite all sorts of public announcements and intense efforts by general agent of Air Berlin.” The loan, for which federal government vouches, could only be partially repaid to KfW. The General representative Steffi also said that a full repayment of KfW loan amounting to 150 million euros was “less likely”. Salmon added that federal government would do anything to limit damage to taxpayer.
The credit for insolvent Air Berlin was controversial. Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary had criticized state aid for example as indirect illegal aid for Lufthansa. The EU Commission had approved loan, but under conditions: it should only be paid out in instalments, and federal government must ensure that loan is fully repaid or a settlement plan is submitted.
