Aeroflot announces interest in purchase of ČSA

The Russian airline Aeroflot has officially voiced its interest in the purchase of Czech state-owned carrier ČSA. On Thursday, the general director of Aeroflot, Valerij Okulov, promised that if his firm’s bid was successful, then Aeroflot would ‘widen and improve’ ČSA’s services and that Prague’s Ruzyně airport would continue to be a hub. The Czech government announced the sale of ČSA on January 19 this year. The state currently owns 92 percent of the airline, which is considered one of its biggest assets. Analysts are expecting the airline to sell for as much as 5 billion crowns (242.6 million USD). The opposition Social Democrats are questioning the timing of the sale in the current financial climate. The government plans to announce the new owner of ČSA in September 2009.