Marsans Group is attentively looking for a promising membership in the Star Alliance for its subsidiaries Aerolineas Argentinas and Air Comet and a long distance operation for acquisition target Spanair.
Gonzalo Pascual Arias, owner of the Spain's group says he would be interested to see Spanair reappear in the long distance market if he makes out the acquisition of the airline from SAS Group.
In June, SAS uncovered its plans to sell off its 94.9% share in Spanair and as a beginning to the sale, purchased the remaining 5.1% stake from Marsans.
In an interview at June's Paris air show. Pascual told Airline Business, "Spanair is a feeding system but it shouldn't necessarily only be a feeding company. We want to make it much bigger".
At present, Spanair, based at Palma de Mallorca, is operating flights within Spain and to various European destinations. The carrier has a fleet of about 60 narrow-bodies.
Marsans Group's owner, who is already the president of Spanair, says that he is preparing to make an offer for acquiring 100% of the airline's shares. He also says that others are also free to bid for the acquisition.
Pascual said, 'Star Alliance is a good asset not only for Spanair but also the group. If Star Alliance is good for Spanair it should be good for the entire group".
The Star Alliance has been searching for a new member in South America since early this year after the withdrawal of the Brazilian carrier Varig. The Brazilian carrier has been acquired by Gol and Gol has signed an interline deal with Aerolineas in July.
