Etihad: Air Berlin claim has no merit

Etihad Airways yesterday said it will contest a lawsuit filed by Air Berlin’s insolvency administrator seeking damages of up to €2 billion.

An Etihad spokesperson confirmed that the airline had received a claim filed at the Berlin Regional Court by the German airline’s insolvency administrator. “We believe that the claim is without merit and will defend ourselves vigorously against it,” the spokesperson said.

Etihad owned a 29 per cent stake in Air Berlin and had been providing funding since becoming a shareholder in early 2012. In April 2017, Etihad sent a letter of support to Air Berlin, but months later Etihad said it would no longer provide funding, saying Air Berlin’s business had deteriorated at an unprecedented pace.