Lufthansa has formally announced its interest in acquiring a stake on offer in Austrian Airlines, a spokesman for the German carrier said.

Austrian state holding company OeIAG is offering its 43 percent share in the airline, worth around EUR157 million euros (USD$233.4 million), but said the size of the stake sold would depend on preserving an Austrian group of core shareholders owning 25 percent between them.

OeIAG invited potential bidders for Austrian Airlines to notify it of their interest by August 24.

Austrian's board has screened possible buyers and sources close to the board say a majority supports Lufthansa.

The board sees Air France-KLM, Aeroflot and Turkish Airlines as second choices.