Etihad has rejected claims it’s looking to acquire a stake in German airline Lufthansa.
Responding to a number of reports this week, a spokesperson confirmed it’s “not looking to take a financial stake in Lufthansa”.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that Lufthansa and Etihad were in talks, but over cooperation on codeshares and catering, rather than equity stakes.
Etihad CEO James Hogan has spoken about the airline’s other investments including its two struggling airline’s Air Berlin and Alitalia.
“Both are operating in very tough competitive environments, and need to address long-standing issues facing their businesses,” he told the Global Airfinance conference in Dublin.
“I believe Airberlin’s strategy is now on track and Alitalia is finalising a business plan to address its issues.”
He added that Etihad is still committed to its equity partner strategy but some of the airlines need to react to the market pressures they face, and we are supportive of that process.
“That approach has helped Etihad grow from a $300 million a year airline, to a diversified aviation group which delivers revenues of more than $26 billion. Etihad Airways sits at the heart of that business, of course, but is now only one element of a model which includes significant other businesses and investments.”
“That evolution has not happened by accident. Etihad Aviation Group is now a solid, diversified business with strength in depth – and with the scale to shape its destiny in the future,” said Hogan.
Sign up to BBT’s twice-weekly newsletter