Alitalia probe to end “by May”
Italian carrier said its expects the EC investigation into whether its rescue plan involved illegal state aid to be finished by May.
Meanwhile the airline has reported an €89m operating loss for the last quarter of 2004.
Four line up Malev bid
Four buyers are reported to be ready to bid for Hungry's loss-making national carrier Malev. They include Air One of Italy, Kyrgyzstan Airlines, Sky Alliance and Aviation Solutions, the last two consortia of former Malev's employees.
The Hungarian government has sacked the senior management of the airline after it failed to bring the carrier to break even point in 2004.
SAS posts 2004 loss
SAS Group, which includes SAS, Europe's fourth largest carrier, posted losses before tax and recurring items of €198m for 2004. Jorgen Lindegaard, president and ceo of the Group said the results were “clearly unsatisfactory” and blamed yield reductions, high fuel prices and severe overcapacity.
Olympic bids in
The Greek finance ministry said that at least four groups had lodged bid for the troubled national carrier Olympic Airways although it gave no details.
The Greek government has indicated that privatisation was the last chance to ensure the carrier's survival.