EasyJet the leading carrier in capital city

EASYJET has strengthened its position in Germany by agreeing to buy part of Air Berlin’s operations at Berlin Tegel airport, ending uncertainty over the fate of the failed airline’s remaining assets.

easyJet said late on Friday that it would enter into leases for up to 25 A320 aircraft, acquire take-off and landing slots, and offer jobs to staff, making the announcement shortly after Air Berlin’s final flight landed at Tegel.

The purchase price is €40 million (R655m), but this does not include any transition costs and because Air Berlin planes are leased, those will have to be funded separately.

Air Berlin said on Saturday that the deal meant it had successfully closed all negotiations for its carve-up.

The deal will make easyJet, which currently operates only out of Berlin Schoenefeld airport, the leading carrier in the German capital, it said.

“This will enable easyJet to operate the leading short haul network at Tegel connecting passengers to and from destinations across Germany and the rest of Europe,” easyJet said.

It added sale talks with easyJet had been held since the early summer. The British carrier declined to comment on the timeline.

In comparison, Lufthansa, which is taking on Air Berlin operations with about 81 aircraft, expects to invest around €1.5 billion in total. – Reuters