Lufthansa says in touch with Norwegian Air: CEO in paper

Lufthansa says in contact with Norwegian Air: CEO in paper

BERLIN (Reuters) - Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) is in contact with Norwegian Air Shuttle (NWC.OL), also the subject of bid interest from British Airways owner IAG (ICAG.L), the German group’s chief executive told a German daily, sending Norwegian’s shares higher.

FILE PHOTO: Flags with the German airline Lufthansa sign flutter next to the office building in Frankfurt, Germany March 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo

“In Europe, everyone is talking to everyone. There’s a new wave of consolidation approaching. That means we are also in contact with Norwegian,” Carsten Spohr was quoted as saying by Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Monday.

When asked whether Norwegian would fit with the group, Spohr responded: “Takeovers are always a question of strategic value, the price and anti-trust. There are no easy answers.”

Norwegian Air’s shares opened 10 percent higher in Oslo and by 0708 GMT traded 7.5 percent higher at 267.6 crowns.

Reporting by Victoria Bryan, additional reporting by Terje Solsvik; Editing by Maria Sheahan and Gwladys Fouche

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October 29, 2018