Lufthansa's former 13% shareholding in Luxair is being purchased by Delfin SARL, a family investment company in the Grand Duchy.
The announcement was made on Monday morning by Luxembourg's Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, Francois Bausch, at the Ministry's office in Kirchberg, with representatives of the new shareholder also in attendance.
Last month, Lufthansa had sold their shareholding to the Luxembourg State, with the government stating at the time that a new shareholder would be in place before the end of 2015.
Minister Bausch welcomed the deal by stating "We are very pleased to have found an investor that has been active in the Grand Duchy for ten years, that is interested in investing in the aviation sector, who believes in the development of the Luxair company and who clearly intends to maintain its stake in the company long-term."
Giovanni Giallombardo, member of the Board of Directors at Delfin SARL, stated "Delfin, with a view to diversifying its portfolio, has found it interesting to strategically invest in the Luxair group located in a triple A country like Luxembourg and believes in its development. We are pleased with this acquisition, which I am sure will have long-term benefits for both companies."
Delfin SARL is a Luxembourg holding company owned by the Del Vecchio family. The activity of Delfin is mainly financial, with interests in:
• the optical industry through the company Luxottica Group, founded in 1961 by Leonardo Del Vecchio and currently listed on the stock exchanges of Milan and New York. Luxottica Group, which SARL Delfin has control, is the global leader in the design, production and distribution of premium eyewear (www.luxottica.com);
• the real estate sector with a stake in the company Foncière des Régions;
• the financial sector through its minority stakes in banks, insurance companies, etc.
