OeIAG is offering its 43% share in Austrian, worth around €157 million ($233.4 million), but said the size of the stake sold would depend on preserving an Austrian group of core shareholders owning 25% between them.

Austrian state holding company OeIAG invited potential bidders for Austrian Airlines to notify it of their interest by August 24. Potential investors are requested to log their interest with Merrill Lynch, OeIAG’s advisers in the deal, and will then receive an information memorandum, it said in a statement.

Austrian’s board has screened possible buyers and sources close to the board say a majority favors Lufthansa. The board sees Air France-KLM, Aeroflot and Turkish Airlines as second choices. (Reuters)