Etihad Airways reportedly will raise its share in Airberlin to 49.9%, could it be merged with Alitalia?

Airberlin (ariberlin.com) (Berlin-Tegel) and Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi), which currently controls 29.21 percent of the Airberlin stock, are reportedly in negotiations about Etihad Airways raising its stake to 49.9 percent according to Reuters, citing the Wirtschafts Woche magazine.

Wirtschafts Woche magazine is reporting a group of German shareholders, among them former and current Airberlin executives, will raise their share to more than 50 percent as required by German law.

The article also reports Airberlin would be delisted if the sale is completed.

This report, if correct, would explain why Airberlin delayed its annual meeting by one week citing an imminent announcement to be made about ownership.

Etihad Airways has been on a buying spree lately for airlines that need financial help. The fast growing Gulf carrier has been in negotiations with Alitalia (2nd) (Rome) about a possible buy-in. This has lead to speculation that Airberlin, Niki and Alitalia could be combined with a common Etihad ownership thread.

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Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Airberlin’s Boeing 737-86J D-ABML (msn 37773) prepares to land at Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

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