The Turkish national airline Turkish Airlines are considering options for a possible acquisition or purchase of airlines in Europe, as the number of similar proposals in recent years has reached 14.
Remembering the difficulties faced by the global aviation market in 2008, the chairman of THY Hamdi Topcu said in an interview with Today's Zaman , the company has taken the necessary measures to compensate for the loss.
"The number of airlines that are experiencing serious financial difficulties and asked us to offer cooperation, to 14. Some of these companies are asking us to buy them. But first we must carefully weigh, to select the most advantageous option, "- explained Mr. Topcu.
European airlines have been hit hardest by the global challenges of the aviation sector over the past three years. Most of them in order to stay afloat, maintained contact with stronger firms to strategic partnership. One of those strong companies, which are now turning to for support, - Turkish Airlines .
THY negotiated the acquisition of European airlines including Czech Airlines ( Czech Airlines ), the Polish airline LOT and the Serbian JAT Airways . The latter examples are similar to airline Malev(Hungary) and Spanair (Spain), which appealed to the Turkish Airlines shortly before his bankruptcy.
"We have been negotiating with Spanair . But market research showed that this partnership will bring the airline THY little benefit. Therefore, we rejected a proposal to merge. Such a proposal, we also received from the airline Malev , but we will not include a discussion of the agenda, "- said the chairman of Turkish Airlines .
A week ago, the Spanish airline Spanair ceased operations due to lack of funds, canceled 220 flights.That same week, ticket sales have been suspended Hungarian national airline Malev . She also stopped flying, being in financial trouble.
"I think the only major airline will be able to stay on his feet in the current crisis. Small firms will have to leave the market, "- added Mr Topcu.
"By the end of the month, Turkish Airlines will make a decision as to which of the European airlines should buy. Most likely, it will be a Polish LOT . And this is the first time that Turkish Airlines will buy a foreign brand, "- he said.