Bloomberg
EasyJet Plc is negotiating with Air Berlin Plc administrators for 25 of the bankrupt carrier’s remaining aircraft at Berlin’s Tegel Airport.
An agreement for that many jets would make the airport EasyJet’s second-biggest base after its operations at London Gatwick. Talks for the Airbus SE A320 jets are ongoing and subject to regulatory approval, the Luton, England-based discounter said in a regulatory filing.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG agreed to take 81 planes, the majority of Air Berlin’s assets, at a total cost of 1.8 billion. Air Berlin’s administrator said at the time that talks were continuing with EasyJet, one of two bidders it said it had entered into exclusive negotiations with.
A deal would be a key victory for EasyJet, allowing it to secure lucrative slots directly into Berlin. The carrier is facing pressure from Europe’s biggest discounter Ryanair Holdings Plc.