Ministry scrutinizes Czech offer for Malev

Deals

Asked about a report in news weekly Figyelo that a consortium of the Czech Unimex Group and its Hungarian unit Travel Service had expressed their intention to buy Malev in an 80-page letter to the government, the ministry confirmed an offer had been made and "is being evaluated".

Managing director of Travel Service Attila Farkas confirmed the report in Figyelo but declined to reveal any further information when asked by MTI.

Mr Farkas told Figyelo that the consortium comprised professional investors with knowledge of business opportunities in Eastern Europe and eleven years of experience in Hungary. But he could not offer any concrete plans because the consortium must first get to know the actual business condition of Malev. Malev would remain a conventional airline with scheduled flights under Czech ownership, not a low-fare airline or one that concentrates on charter flights, he said.

The consortium does not wish to take over Malev's debts, he told Figyelo.

Earlier reports suggested China's Hainan Group could step in to save financially troubled Malev.

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