"The lively interest from investors speaks well for Air Berlin," chief executive Thomas Winkelmann said, as the firm announced "several" bids had arrived before the deadline. Air Berlin carried 36 million passengers in 2016 but has long struggled for survival, booking losses amounting to €1.2 billion over the past two years. Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries declared that "no one company will be able to buy Air Berlin for competition reasons". And Austrian Formula One champion Niki Lauda announced a bid with Thomas Cook Wednesday to buy 38 Air Berlin planes, along with those belonging to the airline's low-cost subsidiary that bears his first name. Air Berlin boss Winkelmann -- a former Lufthansa executive -- has admitted to talks with around 10 potential investors even before the deadline passed.

Source: The Local September 16, 2017 01:30 UTC