Airport, China, EU – Baltic States, Investments, Latvia, Transport

"So far, we have been open to proactive investor offers expressed previously. When the government regained control over the company, serious market players realized that airBaltic is in safe hands and its future can be discussed. All potential investors were heard out and are still being heard out, no serious investors have been turned down. However, their proposals have not fully developed so far," said Krastins, writes LETA.

Talks were also held with Turkish Airlines. These talks still continue. There was also a visit to the Persian Gulf States in March, as well as meetings with three airlines – Qatar Airways, Ettihad and Emirates Airlines, explained Krastins.

"At the moment, it is necessary to take into account that Ettihad has become the largest Air Berlin shareholder, but airBaltic has signed a code-share agreement with Air Berlin," said Krastins, adding that cooperation with Ettihad could continue.

In order to develop cooperation with Qatar Airways, Latvia and Qatar must sign a bilateral agreement on cooperation in aviation, said Krastins. The Transport Ministry is now actively working on the agreement that will most likely be signed by the end of the year.

During last week's visit to China, talks were also held with China's four largest airlines – Air China, China Southern, China Eastern and Hainan Airlines.

As reported, an advertisement placed in the European and British editions of The Financial Times by the Transport Ministry on August 27 invited non-binding expressions of interest by November 1 for a stake of up to 50% minus one share in airBaltic.