January 5 (SeeNews) - Montenegro's government aims to keep a majority stake in privatisation-bound flag carrier Montenegro Airlines (MA), public broadcaster Radio Televizija Crne Gore (RTCG) quoted transport minister Osman Nurkovic as saying.
The government aims to sell a 50% stake in MA minus one share, RTCG quoted Nurkovic as saying in an interview published in the Thursday's issue of daily newspaper Pobjeda.
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MA has been on the privatisation list for a few years already, but the aviation sector faced a global crisis and there have been no appropriate conditions for the sale of the air carrier, Nurkovic added.
In February, local media reported that Montenegrin officials are negotiating the privatisation of the state-owned flag carrier with Etihad Airways in Dubai. Back then, daily newspaper Dan said the government's privatisation council is ready to sell a controlling package of shares - 50% plus one, to its strategic partner.
Etihad purchased neighbouring Serbia's flag air carrier several years ago. At end-November 2015, Etihad and MA signed a contract on strategic cooperation.
In December, Etihad signed a codeshare deal with MA, providing travellers with enhanced connectivity when flying between Southeast Europe and the Middle East.