The first phase in the sale of France's largest independent airline AOM was completed on 2 October, with the receipt by major shareholder Credit Lyonnais of bids from interested purchasers. Several European airlines are known to have been invited to tender for the carrier, including Air France, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa, and the SAir Group (owner of Swissair). Corsair is also thought to have tendered. The initial bids will take the form of a "statement of interest", possibly accompanied by a preliminary financial offer. These will then be open to further competitive tenders leading to a final offer and a decision "by late December", say sources.
Source: Flight International
