EasyJet is on track to become Berlin's largest
carrier, having agreed to acquire a portion of Airberlin's operations at Berlin
Tegel Airport for 40 million euros. The deal, pending regulatory approvals, includes
leases for as many as 25 A320 aircraft and Airberlin's slots at Tegel. EasyJet
also plans to recruit about 1,000 Airberlin pilots and cabin crew members. With
the acquisition, EasyJet plans to operate "the leading short-haul network
at Tegel." That adds to its existing operations at Schonefeld, Berlin's
secondary airport. EasyJet projects the deal will close in December. Earlier
this month, Lufthansa agreed
to acquire a large portion of Airberlin's assets, including leisure airlines
Niki and 20 additional aircraft, for 210 million euros. Airberlin, which filed
for insolvency in August, flew its final flight on Oct. 27.