Norwegian Air says it has `very serious' suitors beyond IAG

Norwegian Air Shuttle said it has attracted interest from other potential suitors since the revelation that BA parent IAG may bid for the company. Norwegian received several inquiries after IAG disclosed that it was building a stake and might make a formal offer, it said Thursday. CEO Bjorn Kjos said that the approaches come from “very serious, professional” airline groups. In a softening of his stance on a takeover, Kjos announced the appointment of a steering committee and financial and legal advisers to handle the situation, adding that while the board may not back a deal at Norwegian’s current value, “there’s a saying that if the price is right, everything is for sale.” The comments mark a shift from Kjos’s outright rejection of the overtures from IAG, whose CEO Willie Walsh he described as “one of the best guys in the industry.” The additional inquiries disclosed by Norwegian “may not be as serious” as those from IAG, but could drive any acquisition price higher, Davy Holdings analyst Stephen Furlong said in a note to clients. Kjos said he’s happy to have IAG as an investor and intends to act in the best interests of all shareholders.<br/>