Race for stake sale to Etihad Airways nears the tape - Livemint

If the deal between Jet Airways and Etihad goes through, this could come as an embarrassment for Vijay Mallya, whose cash-strapped Kingfisher Airlines is also in talks with the West Asian airline for a stake sale.
Photo: Abhijeet Bhatlekar/Mint

Etihad Airways PJSC will decide this week whether to invest in Jet Airways (India) Ltd or Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, both of which are competing for a lifeline from the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in return for selling an equity stake.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad is expected to decide on a stake purchase in either of the two airlines at a board meeting this week, according to two persons familiar with development who requested anonymity. A deal is expected to be announced before the Christmas holiday, said a senior government official.
Talks between Jet Airways, India’s second largest airline by passengers carried, and Etihad have progressed, with the airline offering a 24% stake in the company, said one of the two persons familiar with the development quoted earlier. Jet is also offering Etihad a seat on its board of directors, the person said.

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