Air Berlin PLC

Air Berlin PLC was a German airline company based in Berlin. Originally founded in 1978, the airline group expanded through mergers and acquisitions of other European carriers. Air Berlin PLC held a significant stake in Lesiure, and a minority stake in Belair (49%), as well as a minority stake in Vienna-based airline, NIKI.

airberlin filed to commence insolvency proceedings on 15-Aug-2017, in order to continue with a "restructuring process". The proceedings are due to Etihad Airways opting to no longer provide airberlin with financial support. airberlin stated Germany's Federal Government, Lufthansa and other partners are "supporting airberlin in its restructuring efforts", with the Federal Government offering a bridging loan to maintain flight operations" during the restructure. The airline announced it will no longer be a member of oneworld on 11-Oct-2017, but continued interline operations and member services until the planned cessation.

The carrier's creditors committee announced Deutsche Lufthansa AG and easyJet as selected bidders for airberlin's aviation business. Deutsche Lufthansa AG will acquire regional carrier Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter mbH (LGW) and NIKI from Air Berlin Group for a combined purchase price of EUR210 million, following negotiations between the two German airline holding companies. The acquisition is subject to European Commission approval, however, Lufthansa stated it plans to dissolve the NIKI brand as it integrates the carrier into Eurowings. Further, Air Berlin announced German logistics holding company, Berliner Zeitfracht, acquired its freight subsidiary, Leisure Cargo. airberlin ceased all scheduled services on 27-Oct-2017, and subsequently decommissioned Belair on 28-Oct-2017. A consortium comprising Nayak Air Services and Berliner Zeitfracht Gruppe acquired MRO unit, airberlin technik.