Easyjet has agreed a deal to purchase part of Air Berlin’s Berlin Tegel (TXL/EDDT) operation.
The deal, worth around €40m, will see the UK Based Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) take on leases for 25 Air Berlin Airbus A320 aircraft, taking over slots at Berlin Tegel Airport and preserving jobs for around 1000 former Air Berlin staff.
In a statement, Easyjet said: “This agreement is consistent with easyJet’s strategy of purposeful investment in strong number one positions in Europe’s leading airports (or number two to a legacy incumbent). This will enable easyJet to operate the leading short-haul network at Tegel connecting passengers to and from destinations across Germany and the rest of Europe. This is in addition to easyJet’s existing base at Berlin Schönefeld and would mean that easyJet would be the leading airline in Berlin.”
Adding that they “will make announcements on the new routes and services to be flown to and from Tegel in due course. easyJet will operate a reduced timetable at Tegel during the winter season but plans to operate a full schedule from the summer season 2018. “
Air Berlin flew its final flights on Friday 28th October after being filing for bankruptcy protection in August. In a separate deal, Lufthansa is taking on the majority of Air Berlins operations including 81 aircraft in a deal with €240m.
Both deals are subject to regulatory approval.