Private equity bidders line up for Thomas Cook airline Condor: Wirtschaftswoche

At least 3 bidding groups including private equity firm Apollo have emerged as buyers of Thomas Cook's German airline Condor, Germany's Wirtschaftswoche said Friday. Condor, which has remained profitable, has drawn interest from suitors after Germany granted a E380m (US$419m) bridging loan to avoid insolvency following the collapse of parent company Thomas Cook. Apollo, which already owns Volotea, is exploring partnerships with German travel operators DER Touristik and Schauinsland Reisen to improve its chances of clinching Condor, Wirtschaftswoche said. Binding offers for Condor will be submitted before Christmas, Wirtschaftswoche added. <br/>