Turkish Airlines has denied claims made by the Croatian Minister for Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Siniša Hajdaš Dončić, that it is interested in purchasing a stake in Croatia Airlines. “The management has made no decision relating to the takeover of Croatia Airlines”, a statement from Turkish Airlines reads.
A former manager at Croatia Airlines, who wished to remain anonymous, is not surprised by the carrier’s decision. “Turkish Airlines has a grand plan to become the largest airline in the world by destination network size by 2038, on the centenary of the death of the father of the Turks Kemal Ataturk. However, Turkish Airlines does not base its growth on equity purchases, rather on organic growth”.
So far, Garuda Indonesia is the only carrier to officially confirm its interest in Croatia Airlines, seeing it as a “logical choice” for its future expansion. The other two airlines believed to be interested in a stake in the Croatian national airline are both from China – Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines. Yesterday, Mr. Hajdaš Dončić announced that the tender for the takeover of Croatia Airlines will be launched in two to three weeks time, earlier than originally planned.
Meanwhile, Croatia Airlines’ hub, Zagreb Airport, received good news yesterday after it was revealed that necessary permits have been approved for the construction of the airport’s new terminal.
Christophe Petit, who heads the French consortium that will build and manage the new terminal, says there are no longer any obstacles for the construction of the new building to commence. The airport is to officially be handed over to its new owners early next month after which construction is expected to begin. “I can’t say whether it will be the first, fifth or fifteenth of October because every detail has to be in order in the takeover documents”, Mr. Petit commented. The French consortium has exactly three years to build the new terminal from the moment it officially takes over the airport.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- “Turkish Airlines has a grand plan to become the largest airline in the world by destination network size by 2038, on the centenary of the death of the father of the Turks Kemal Ataturk.
- “I can't say whether it will be the first, fifth or fifteenth of October because every detail has to be in order in the takeover documents”, Mr.
- The other two airlines believed to be interested in a stake in the Croatian national airline are both from China –.
