Air France-KLM is to submit a formal expression of interest in SkyTeam partner Czech Airlines by 23 March ahead of its planned privatisation.
The Czech Republic's finance ministry launched a tender for its flag-carrier in February, covering sale of 91.51% of the airline, with an eventual winner to be decided no later than 30 September this year.
An Air France spokeswoman confirms chief executive Pierre-Henri Gourgeon has stated that an expression of interest will be put forward for Czech Airlines in late March.
"We will give a certain amount of money but [Gourgeon] did not specify the stake or amount," she says. "He said it was interesting because we are very attentive, as Czech Airlines is a SkyTeam partner."
The spokeswoman declines to say how Czech Airlines would fit strategically into Air France-KLM, beyond its SkyTeam links.
Aeroflot has also shown interest in participating in the privatisation process, although it would require a Czech partner.
Any new owner would be required to maintain a domestic base at Prague Airport for a minimum of five years after the takeover, according to the Czech finance ministry. It would also have to keep Czech Airlines' core air transport operations.
For more on Czech Airlines and its privatisation hopes see our recent interview with CSA chief executive Radomir Lasak
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
