An update from ATI website
Haraldsson set to acquire UK's Astraeus
Kerry Ezard, London (29Sep06, 16:41 GMT)
FlyMe shareholder Palmi Haraldsson is to acquire 51% of UK carrier Astraeus after apparently selling his shares in the Swedish budget carrier, ATI has learned.
FlyMe announced on 25 September that it had pulled out of a deal to acquire 51% of Astraeus for £6 million ($11.4 million), but had struck a dry-lease deal with the UK operator for two Boeing 737-300 aircraft.
Swedish reports suggest Haraldsson sold his FlyMe stake after a dispute with fellow shareholders over the decision not to proceed with the Astraeus acquisition. A source close to the deal tells ATI that Haraldsson is now expected to purchase the UK carrier by himself.
Haraldsson also runs Icelandic investment firm Fons Eignarhaldsfelag, which owns Icelandic budget carrier Iceland Express. He is understood to have held the majority of FlyMe’s ‘A’ shares, although it is unclear specifically how many shares he held in the carrier.
Neither Astraeus nor FlyMe could immediately be reached for comment.