The European Commission, as well as the Romanian authorities, are currently investigating the alleged anti-competition agreements, according to the company’s representatives.
During the reorganization process, the company would continue its usual operations under the current management of Nicolae Petrov, and would only operate profitable flights by the end of March.
Last year, Carpatair gave up its airline hub in Timisoara, claiming that the airport representatives sealed anti-competition agreements with low cost airlineWizz Air.
In 2013, the company changed its shareholders structure, so that former MIG pilot Nicolae Petrov, the founder of Carpatair, currently holds a 12.8% stake, while Swiss businessmen own the rest of the shares.
In 2012, Carpatair reported a turnover of 245 million lei (EUR55.6 million), down 17% on the year, and a loss of RON36 million, fourfold higher on the year. The company has not published its 2013 financial data yet.
Carpatair, established in 2000, said it carried around 600,000 passengers a year, according to the 2012 data.