After a meeting of the governmental committee for privatizing Olympic Airways, which finished late last night, the government announced that it is disappointed from the received offers and is rejecting them. The prices, which they received at the tender, were much lower than expected. For the Olympic flying operations, the expected amount was 45,7? million but the highest offer, which was from Athens Airways/SkyOne was 24,5? million. For the ground services the expected amount was 44.8? million and the highest offer from Swissport was 33? million. For the technical support and services of the airplanes Olympic expected 16.7? million and the best offer from Swissport was 15? million.

“The offers, which we received, do not satisfy us and this is the reason to start again. This time we will negotiate with the interested investors directly. Our invitation is open, concrete and clear,” said minister of development Kostis Hadzidakis, who is the representative of the governmental committee for privatizing Olympic Airways. At the press conference after the meeting of the committee, he made a clear appeal towards the investors, who know the Greek market and to respond to the negotiations invitation.

The privatization plan for Olympic Airways was approved by the European Commission in September of 2008. Soon, the Greek government will inform Brussels for the results of the tender and will insist for the approval of the direct negotiations with the investors.