Germany's Air Berlin is considering divestment of its long-haul holiday operation LTU, less than two years after acquiring the carrier.
It says a sale is one of the options being explored for Dusseldorf-based LTU, following a weakening travel market and difficulties with the union representing pilots.
LTU operates a fleet of Airbus A330s on long-haul holiday routes, as well as A320-family jets.
But a spokesman for Air Berlin says the tour market is "weak" and says that the traffic is "becoming worse" in this area of its activity.
He also cites tension with the pilots' union, Vereinigung Cockpit, claiming that crews are seeking more money.
"Together, the situation becomes very difficult," he says.
Sale of LTU is an "open option" being examined by Air Berlin, says the spokesman, adding that the carrier is looking at "all alternatives".
He says Air Berlin is likely to take several weeks to decide on LTU's future.
"We're taking things very slowly," he says. "We don't want any mistakes [affecting] our network."
Air Berlin disclosed two years ago that it would acquire LTU, after which followed a drawn-out regulatory and operational integration process.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
