Lufthansa to sign deal with bankrupt Air Berlin

BERLIN – The German news agency dpa is reporting that Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr says the airline will sign an agreement to buy large parts of the bankrupt carrier Air Berlin.

Spohr said in Berlin that both airlines will sign the agreement later on Thursday in Berlin.

Spohr said, "Today is a big day, which we will seal in a few hours with a signature."

Air Berlin declared bankruptcy in August following years of losses and the decision of its biggest shareholder, Gulf airline Etihad, to cease financing.

It has been in talks for weeks with Lufthansa and easyJet about selling parts of its business.