The minister reminded that international financial consultant Lazard has been selected as the airline's financial advisor to attract potential investors for the airline.
Lazard has been tasked to find a solution on the attraction of potential investors for airBaltic by November of this year. ''The consultancy firm believes that it will have specific proposals by November of this year,'' Augulis added.
According to him, several investors have interest in airBaltic, and the government will have to evaluate them. ''The most important is for the decision to be high in quality and beneficial for the state,'' the minister said.
Augulis also emphasized that the state has set several conditions for the potential strategic investors - Riga Airport must remain the airline's home-base, all flights must be retained, and the airline's Horizon business plan must be continued.
Meanwhile, the airlines CEO Martin Gauss told members of the press that the airline is in a good financial situation at the moment, which is attractive for potential investors.
He also said that airBaltic is in no hurry, which is why the best possible offer will be accepted.
As reported, airBaltic has selected Lazard Freres as its financial adviser to attract potential investors and finance for future development of the carrier.
Lazard Freres is a financial advisory and asset management firm, founded in 1848. Today Lazard Freres operates in 42 cities across 27 countries.
airBaltic share capital was increased to EUR 256.473 mln at the beginning of May 2016. The state of Latvia now owns 80%of airBaltic shares, while Aircraft Leasing 1, where private investor Ralf Montag-Girmes is the CEO, owns the other 20%. Aircraft Leasing 1 belongs to the Ireland-registered IALH LIMITED.
Montag-Girmes at the end of March of last year invested approximately EUR 52 mln in airBaltic, while the state invested EUR 80 mln.
airBaltic serves over 60 destinations from its home base in Riga, Latvia.
