COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) — U.S. low-cost carrier ATA Airlines plans to fly to destinations in Europe starting next year and is negotiating with German airport Cologne-Bonn, the company said last week.
"We want to fly to two or three European cities, and are currently in intensive talks concerning this," ATA Vice President Douglas Yakota told reporters in Cologne.

He added that Germany, and in particular the Cologne-Bonn airport due to its success in low-cost travel, were high on the list of potential destinations.

German long-haul charter carrier LTU reacted sharply to these plans, underscoring intense competition in the beleaguered airline industry.

"You have to assume that we’ll come with a corresponding offer for the same price and possibly better quality," said LTU managing director Juergen Marbach.

ATA parent ATA Holdings last month reported its quarterly net loss widened to $64.7 million from $11.4 million.