Troubled Air Berlin may sell some of airport slots

Air Berlin’s administrators will focus on selling its attractive take-off and landing slots in Germany, a source familiar with the process said, potentially opening up the market to new players.

Loss-making Air Berlin has until now helped to shield Lufthansa and Germany, where a booming economy is fuelling demand for travel, from low-cost carriers. But analysts say the fight is now on for German passengers after Air Berlin filed for insolvency on Tuesday, with Lufthansa seeking to shore up its own position against rivals Ryanair and easyjet. They say they doubt that the German government will allow the demise of the country’s second-largest carrier.