The main owner of Norwegian domestic airline Widerøe is considering the possibility of taking over parts of Norwegian's operations if the company does not survive the corona crisis, writes Dagens Næringsliv with reference to market sources. 

The main owner with 66 percent of Widerøe is the transport and public transport group Torghatten, which is controlled by Brynjar Forbergskog in Brønnøysund. When asked directly by Dagens Næringlisv whether Torghatten might be interested in taking over all or parts of Norwegian in the event of bankruptcy, Brynjar Forbergskog replied:

”"You can probably count on us to follow how things develop closely," he says, without wanting to comment further.

Torghatten's CEO Roger Granheim tells the newspaper that it is a theoretical question and that no such process is underway today.

”"For the moment, Norwegian is alive and flying. If that changes, we will have to evaluate the situation then," he says.

At a press conference earlier on Monday after the Norwegian government said no to further support for Norwegian, Norwegian's CEO Jacob Schram said he could not rule out bankruptcy.

”"I can't rule out any scenarios. It's difficult, but we're continuing to work to find solutions so that we can get through this. I have no guarantees that we'll get through it, but I have faith and hope that we'll get through this too," said Jacob Schram.

Torghatten is not listed but is traded over the grey market list OTC. ABG Sundal Collier has a recent buy recommendation on the stock.

”"If Norwegian does not reach the finish line, it means many possibilities. When and if this will happen is difficult to say," ABG analyst Petter Nystrøm tells dn.no.

Source: di.se