In the ongoing negotiations for ITA Airways (successor to Alitalia), Lufthansa Group is now considering whether to continue in its attempt to secure a controlling stake alone, after shipping giant MSC dropped out of the bidding.
In a statement, MSC confirmed that it was no longer interested in participating in the privatisation of ITA Airways.
The two were in a consortium bidding for the Italian state-owned airline.
According to Bloomberg, unnamed sources said Lufthansa might still choose to become a minority partner or walk away from the offer completely. Italian Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti confirmed to Bloomberg that Lufthansa was still interested in a solo bid.
MSC’s change of mind came only a few weeks after the Italian government restarted talks with both Lufthansa and the global shipping company, after the Italian government entered discussions with a consortium of equity firm Certares Management, Air France KLM, and Delta Air Lines.
– Travel News
