SkyTeam's Air France to pursue Czech Airlines privatisation
Air France-KLM is to submit a formal expression of interest in SkyTeam partner Czech Airlines by 23 March ahead of its planned privatisation.
The Czech Republic's finance ministry launched a tender for its flag-carrier in February, covering sale of 91.51% of the airline, with an eventual winner to be decided no later than 30 September this year.
An Air France spokeswoman confirms chief executive Pierre-Henri Gourgeon has stated that an expression of interest will be put forward for Czech Airlines in late March.
"We will give a certain amount of money but [Gourgeon] did not specify the stake or amount," she says. "He said it was interesting because we are very attentive, as Czech Airlines is a SkyTeam partner."
The spokeswoman declines to say how Czech Airlines would fit strategically into Air France-KLM, beyond its SkyTeam links.
Aeroflot has also shown interest in participating in the privatisation process, although it would require a Czech partner.
Any new owner would be required to maintain a domestic base at Prague Airport for a minimum of five years after the takeover, according to the Czech finance ministry. It would also have to keep Czech Airlines' core air transport operations.
