Aeroflot says not interested in Alitalia
Published September 27th, 2007
Aeroflot Russian Airlines is not currently interested in buying the Italian state’s 49.9 pct stake in Alitalia SpA, said Lev Koshliakov, Aeroflot deputy director general for communications.
Koshliakov said his reported comments earlier this week on a 1 bln usd offer for Alitalia referred to Aeroflot’s interest in May in acquiring Alitalia in an unsuccessful government auction.
‘There is no offer. It was misinterpreted. Aeroflot is not going to invest in Alitalia and is not contemplating an investment in Alitalia,’ he said.
Aeroflot has not been contacted by Alitalia’s adviser Citigroup (NYSE:C) , which reports have said is contacting participants in the government’s auction earlier this year in which Aeroflot participated, he said.
Alitalia is currently conducting its own search for a new owner for the airline. Chairman Maurizio Prato yesterday said he will draw up a shortlist of possible buyers by Oct 10.
‘I spoke to the top management and no-one has had contact (with Citigroup). At this stage there is no interest. I don’t know if the circumstances will change,’ Koshliakov said.
Aeroflot will ‘probably not be included’ on Prato’s shortlist, he said.
Aeroflot withdraw from the previous auction because of a complex set of problems, including a requirement for the EU ownership of airlines flying many of Alitalia’s international routes, he said.
Separately, Radiocor news agency cited Aeroflot managing director Valery Okulov as saying ‘the level of our interest for Alitalia depends on price’.
