Austrian Airlines may double its stake in Innsbruck-based regional carrier Tyrolean Airways to 85.7%.
The flag carrier says, however, that it has had no confirmation of local press reports suggesting that businessman Gernot Langes-Swarovski, who holds 42.85%of Tyrolean, plans to sell his shares.
Austrian holds a "first-look" clause in its contract with Tyrolean, giving it the right to buy shares other shareholders wish to sell.
"If the sale goes ahead, we will see if anybody else is prepared to bring in capital and, if not, then we will take over," says president Mario Rehulka. The Austrian boss adds, however, that the airline is happy with the company ownership and that a take-over would not change the way Tyrolean is run.
Tyrolean says that it has not been informed of any change in the shareholding. The remaining 14.3%is owned by Raiffeisen subsidiary Leipnik Lundenburger.
Source: Flight International
