Lithuania faces a data gap in its negotiations with Latvia over airBaltic shares

Lithuania faces a data gap in its negotiations with Latvia over airBaltic shares - as conveyed by the minister.

In a recent development, Latvia has made an offer to sell shares in the airline company airBaltic to Lithuania. According to reports, Latvia's Transport Ministry holds the remaining shares of airBaltic, with Latvia owning 97.97 percent.

The Lithuanian Transport Minister, Eugenijus Sabutis, has been tasked to present his position on the offer. The offer has also been made to both Estonia and Germany's Lufthansa, as per reports. The contents of the offer, however, remain confidential due to non-disclosure agreements.

Lietuvos Oro Uostai (LTOU), the state-owned operator of Lithuania's three international airports, is currently assessing the offer. The initial assessment is ongoing, and no specific financial or other relevant information about the offer has been disclosed.

Sabutis has expressed that the first thing Lithuania needs is normal financial and other relevant information about airBaltic. He expects to receive more information and hopes to take a small step forward in the negotiations.

The Lithuanian government has agreed to conduct a comprehensive study about possible involvement in airBaltic, reflecting a strategic interest but no concrete commitments so far. No progress in negotiations has been made public at this time.

In Estonia, the Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis has revealed that Estonia was offered a stake of up to 10 percent for 14 million euros. However, it is unknown if the offer made to Lithuania matches the one made public by Estonia. The Estonian side has made the contents of a similar offer public, but it is uncertain if their version aligns with Lithuania's.

As the negotiations continue, both countries are working towards reaching a decision that would be beneficial for the future of airBaltic and the aviation industry in the region.