According to Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, airBaltic has the potential to attract the interest of one of the major players in the aviation sector.Photo: Shutterstock
Airline airBaltic, which is planning an IPO, has attracted the interest of a major company, and the Latvian government has given the green light to begin negotiations, reports Delphi.
The Minister of Transport of Latvia presented a report to the country’s government, in which he spoke about airBaltic’s progress towards an initial public offering and the search for a strategic investor.
Speaking to reporters later, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina said that the IPO preparation process could be completed next year. According to her, a large company is interested in airBalic shares, but the state intends to retain a controlling stake. Latvia currently owns 97.97% of airBaltic shares.
Silina also reported that the country’s government gave permission to continue negotiations with the strategic investor.
Latvian Transport Minister Kaspars Briškens called the news about a possible strategic investor for airBaltic positive, as, according to him, the company could buy shares in the airline even before the IPO.
“The interest of a company of this caliber in airBaltic demonstrates confidence in the airline’s business plan,” Briškens said, declining to name the potential investor.
The Prime Minister stressed that she does not have the right to disclose the name of the investor while negotiations are ongoing. Silina added that airBaltic has the potential to attract the interest of one of the major players in the aviation sector.
Source: www.dv.ee
