Aeroflot studies buying into Czech Airlines

...Aeroflot, said it might consider the option.

RIA news agency quoted vice-premier Sergei Naryshkin as saying that Russia was planning to buy into the Czech firm, although he did not name the Russian company that could act as a buyer.

"Within the next three years, we plan to take part in the privatisation of Czech Airlines and the airport," Naryshkin said.

Aeroflot told Reuters it might study the option, but has no immediate purchase plans.

"We are interested in the European market and are examining it closely. We of course are looking at Czech Airlines in particular, but for the moment we are not considering buying it," Aeroflot spokeswoman Irina Dannenberg told Reuters.

The Russian carrier, which has long been seeking to enter the European market, earlier said it might bid for the struggling Italian airline Alitalia and Serbia's JAT Airways.

[MOSCOW/Reuters/Finance.cz]