British Airways says the process for the disposal of its low-cost airline Go remains firmly on track despite the decision of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines not to pursue a bid.
KLM spokesman Bart Koster had earlier revealed that the airline had submitted a non-binding offer, but BA had considered it insufficient.
Koster said KLM had not wished to raise the bid, but declined to say how much it had been worth. He also said the Dutch carrier had been concerned about regulatory complications, especially in terms of competition.
Despite the departure of the bidder regarded by sector analysts to be the favourite to land Go, a BA spokesman says: "We expect to conclude the sale by the end of this month or thereabouts.
"We're not saying how many people we are still talking with or who they are, but the process is right on track."
Analysts do not expect Go to be sold for much more than £100 million. Shortly after news of KLM's decision not to bid became public, shares in BA were down 5¾p at 333¼p.
Koster says KLM has not yet decided on the future of its own low-budget airline Buzz.
Following remarks last month by KLM chief financial officer Rob Abrahamsen that the airline was not ruling out the sale of Buzz if a bid for Go were to fail, Koster says KLM is still keeping its options open.
"We will now intensify our study into our future in the low-budget market," Koster says, adding it is still "business as usual for Buzz".
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You fly em we'll fill em!