But Any Potential Takeover Is Still In The Early Discussion Phase

Lufthansa may be targeting a takeover of Norwegian Airlines, though such discussions are in the very early stages, and nothing concrete has been proposed.

Reuters reports that Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr recently told Germany’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung that a "new wave of (airline) consolidation is approaching" and that Lufthansa "is in contact" with Norwegian.  For its part, Norwegian said that it had been approached by "several" potential investors and buyers since IAG announced in April that it has taken a 4.6 percent stake in the low-cost carrier. Chief Executive Bjoern Kjos confirmed that he had exchanged text messages with Spohr, but would not comment further other than to say that in his view, it is "a bit too early" to sell the airline.

Spohr told Reuters earlier in June that Lufthansa would take advantage of acquisitions should they present themselves. Lufthansa Group took over parts of the bankrupt Air Berlin last year, and completed the acquisition of Brussels Airlines which it added to its Eurowings brand.

IAG has said that it would not engage in a bidding war for Norwegian.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report