| Quote: Germany's DBA announced that investor Lutz Helmig has taken a 25.1% stake in the airline through his company Aton GmbH. DBA said the deal will double its capital to €20 million ($23.9 million). Helmig founded the Helios Kliniken hospital chain before selling it to Fresenius AG, according to the Associated Press. Helmig becomes DBA's second-largest shareholder after owner Hans Rudolph Woehrl (59.9%), who bought the airline from British Airways in 2003. Remaining investors are DBA's two MDs, Martin Gauss and Peter Wojahn, each of whom holds 7.5%. For the fiscal year ending March 31, DBA anticipates a 40% increase in passengers to 4.3 million. Turnover is expected to be more than €400 million. For the 2006-07 financial year it is forecasting turnover of €500 million while boardings could grow by 30% to more then 5.5 million. Last autumn the carrier ordered 40 737-700s (ATWOnline, Nov. 15, 2005). DBA will start Munich-Paris Orly services this spring and said several new domestic routes will be opened as well. |
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