Lauda to bid for part of Air Berlin with Thomas Cook's Condor

Former motor racing driver Niki Lauda will table an offer for parts of insolvent Air Berlin together with Thomas Cook's German carrier Condor, Lauda said Wednesday. Lauda holds 51% of the consortium which will bid for 21 Airbus A320 and A321 planes of Air Berlin's subsidiary Niki - formerly owned by Lauda - as well as 17 additional aircraft flying under the Air Berlin banner. The consortium plans to service short and medium haul flights to tourism hot spots, making use of Condor's expertise in that sector. "As we have said previously, Thomas Cook and its leisure airline Condor stand ready to play an active role in the restructuring of Air Berlin and its subsidiary Niki. Clearly, we will explore all options," said a Thomas Cook spokesman. <br/>