06 January 2009

Air Anschluss approved – LH looks North and East

As Austrian’s sale is approved – the German march for European hegemony appears to be unabated with LH eyeing both SAS and LOT next.

Austrian Airlines seems to be all done bar the shouting: "We are pleased that it has proven possible to reach an agreement between ÖIAG and our alliance partner of many years, Lufthansa. The strategic concept removes our structural weaknesses, such as a lack of international sales strength and disadvantages in purchasing. Together with our own measures, this will enable the almost total retention of our network strength. As a result, the benefits for our customers can be retained. None of this would have been possible - even with a great deal of additional capital - had we tried to go it alone," Alfred Ötsch, CEO said on 4th of Jan.

Looking northward, Lufthansa International Director, Karsten Bentz, stated that “after the German and Italian markets, Scandinavia is the most important for Lufthansa”. Lufthansa has reportedly been in talks with SAS, rekindling speculation about a planned acquisition. Confirming this Bentz is also quoted as saying: "We want to take an active part in the consolidation that is taking place in the European airline industry, and that subject is often the focus of Lufthansa management meetings." Meanwhile to the east, Poland’s Treasury Minister, Aleksander Grad, reportedly stated the government may increase the capital of LOT Polish Airlines if no investor other than Lufthansa bids for it.


So LH's has laid out its stall - what about BA and AF/KL?

Cheers

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