Aeroflot says interested in Austrian Airlines

VIENNA (Reuters) - Russian airline Aeroflot (AFLT.MM: Quote, Profile, Research) confirmed on Friday it could be interested in taking a stake in Austrian carrier Austrian Airlines (AUAV.VI: Quote, Profile, Research).

"We are studying the situation at Austrian Airlines and are looking at what happens," Valery Okulov told Austrian magazine Format. "We have experience of overhauling airlines."

The Russian airline has previously said it is interested in buying European rivals.

"Okulov said yes, we are interested. But there are no practical consequences to that yet," Lev Koshlyakov, Aeroflot's deputy general director, told Reuters.

German airline Deutsche Lufthansa (LHAG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) said last month it was also interested and Chief Executive Wolfgang Mayrhuber told Format an approach would depend on the owners of Austrian Airlines. The Austrian state holds a stake of some 43 percent.

"(Any move) must be friendly," he said. "It must make sense for both sides. But it's not our decision if talks are to take place with Austrian Airlines or not."

The magazine also quoted Air France (AIRF.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) Chief Executive Jean-Cyril Spinetta as saying he was "observing the situation" at Austrian Airlines. However, he added that Italy's Alitalia (AZPIa.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) had priority for the French company.

On Monday, Spinetta did not rule out restarting talks over a possible takeover of Alitalia, but said they would be difficult. It was not clear when he had spoken to Format. No one at the magazine could immediately be reached for clarification.

Aeroflot and Air France have both been reported previously as potential suitors for the Austrian company.

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