UK/Austria: British Airways parent hopeful of completing Niki deal

British Airways owner IAG said on Wednesday, January 16, it “remains hopeful” of being able to complete the acquisition of Austrian airline Niki, after a back-and-forth over where insolvency proceedings should be handled.

An Austrian court had ruled on Friday, January 12, that proceedings should be held there rather than Germany, which had put a question mark over the previously agreed deal.

Wednesday however, Niki’s German administrator Lucas Floether and Austrian counterpart Ulla Reisch issued a joint statement that they would work together on securing a deal for Niki.

In a statement Wednesday, IAG said it “remains interested in the assets of Niki and is looking forward to the new process being completed promptly.

“The group remains hopeful that Vueling can continue with its acquisition and safeguard up to 740 former Niki jobs in Austria and Germany and provide airline customers in Austria, Germany and Switzerland with a greater choice of flights.”

Full Content: Reuters

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