The owner of Air Europa has confirmed that the French-Dutch multinational airline Air France-KLM has expressed an “interest” in the Spanish carrier.
The confirmation comes as news circulated that Air France-KLM was in talks with the Air Europa owner Globalia over a 20% investment in the airline.
On November 27, 2024, euronews reported that Globalia, which owns 80% of Air Europa, said that “there is interest […] but currently nothing is closed”.
According to el Economista, negotiations between Globalia and Air France-KLM have been ongoing for weeks.
It is understood that a 20% stake in the airline would not require the go ahead from the European Union as the investment is too low for any regulatory involvement.
Air France-KLM’s rival International Airlines Group (IAG) already owns a 20% stake in Air Europa.
In August 2024, IAG announced that it had dropped its bid to acquire Air Europa, Spain’s second largest airline, but would continue as an investor.
In an official statement released on August 1, 2024, the airline group alluded to the “regulatory environment” as the main reason for this decision.
According to el Economist, IAG paid €100 million ($105 million) for a 20% Air Europa stake in 2022, but three years on, Air France-KLM would need to pay considerably more for the same investment.