Joint statement by the Belgian Federal Government and Lufthansa Group on Brussels Airlines

Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Alexander De Croo and Minister of Employment Nathalie Muylle met today with Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Lufthansa Group, Thorsten Dirks, Co-chairman of Brussels Airlines and member of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Group and Dieter Vranckx, CEO of Brussels Airlines.
 
The Federal Government of Belgium expressed the importance it attaches to the proper follow-up of restructuring procedures (‘Renault Act’) and the role of social concertation, with a particular focus on limiting the number of forced redundancies as much as possible as well as maximizing specific efforts to assist employees of Brussels Airlines.  
 
In addition, the Federal Government also indicated to Mr. Spohr that the Federal Government of Belgium would only be able to invest if specific conditions are met. For example, there must be sufficient assurances on the correct implementation of a realistic and future-oriented business plan for Brussels Airlines that focuses on profitable growth, ecological responsibility and employment prospects.
 
In recent weeks, conversations have been difficult, even if progress has been made on the Business Plan. Today's meeting provided both parties with the opportunity to clarify their respective positions and to accelerate a convergence of these positions. Both Lufthansa Group and the Belgian government recognize the importance of Brussels Airlines as an economic hub with extensive European connectivity and endorse the importance of an ambitious growth plan that focuses on the African and North American continent.
 
Both parties agreed to further pursue negotiations with regards to the shape and terms of any possible state investment and the way in which the growth plan can be achieved while improving the operational efficiency of Lufthansa Group. Such an agreement will only be possible if an understanding can be reached between the social partners of Brussels Airlines. An agreement between the Lufthansa Group and the German government, with which the Belgian government is in close contact, is equally important.
 
Both parties are firmly committed to reaching a fruitful agreement in the interest of Brussels Airlines, its staff and the entire Brussels Airport ecosystem.