Virgin and Lufthansa

I read that SRB had been in talks with Lufthansa about SRB selling his 51% to them.

Has anyoe else heard anything? I believe it was in the Sunday Times.

[Decker]

All I've seen in the tie up between Virgin America and Lufthansa.

Originally posted by virgin is the best
I read that SRB had been in talks with Lufthansa about SRB selling his 51% to them.

Has anyoe else heard anything? I believe it was in the Sunday Times.

Doubt it. VS is SRB's baby.

If anything Sq to sell there 49% stake to LH would be more likely.

Can't see it happening myself; VS is the jewel in his crown that is the Virgin empire.

45.

SQ's 49% is very probable if SRB declines to buy it back himself.

SRB to sell his 51% to LH and VS become a Star Alliance owned company - Probably about the same chance as VS had of buying Concorde from BA..... Sweet F A..

[mcmbenjamin]

Maybe something to do with LH/VS buying BD? That would make more sense. VS gives LH some paper called stock and they now own BD or LH/VS own BD? Would save everyone money....

Is SRB covering his back in case of strike? or setting loose a scare to avoid a strike?

When Air France and Delta announced their ÔdealÕ about AFÕs LHR slos the Times ran a series if articles speculating about similar tie ins once open skies kicks in. LH were mentioned as a possible purchaser of the Singapores 49% VS stake or, and this is the more likely option, buying out Sir Michael Bishops remaining 50% + 1 share. They then suggeste LH would strengthen their ossition further by bying the Sibgapore VS stake. I donlt think they have a hope in hell of getting theor hands on any of SRB's stock

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article2701536.ece
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6751829.stm

The thought crossed my mind about a BMI tie-up, but I can't see LH ever getting a majority stake in VS. I don't know how far co-operation between the two airlines (BMI and VS) can go if they are both owned by LH if the German flag carrier doesn't have have its hands on SRB's 51%.

45.

I did read somewhere- I cant remember now- that LH wanted out of BMI anyway and that SAS were having a wee look at them.

The obvious tie-in would be VS and BMI, routes donÕt overlap too much, VS would get access to a shed load of LHR slots, BA would be mightily p****d off. But it gets mooted every couple of years and then goes away again.

As I understand the current state of play, LH have the right to buy enough BMI shares by the end of the year to take control, the only benefit to them would be to effectively harvest the LHR slots and then either sell off/give away what's left of BMI. In other words, asset strip. If I were working for BMI I'd be looking to the end of the year with some trepidation. The only certainty is that there will be some consoldation in the sector in the run up to open skies next year and the jewel in the crown with its 14% (?) of LHR slots has to be BMI, I would have thought VS are relatively safe from the vultures for now.

Originally posted by daharris
The obvious tie-in would be VS and BMI, routes donÕt overlap too much, VS would get access to a shed load of LHR slots, BA would be mightily p****d off. But it gets mooted every couple of years and then goes away again.

Purely because SMB and SRB are not the bestest of pals. SMB will not sell his stake to SRB so the only way for SRB to get a stake is to buy the stake of LH. Who knows exactly what LH will do- rumours had it they wanted out of BD and also Spanair but clearly LHR and BD's slots is important.

I just fail to see SMB giving SRB the go ahead to get BD.