Brussels Airlines set to become leading carrier for Thomas Cook Belgium under plans to expand existing partnership

  • Thomas Cook Belgium intends to use Brussels Airlines for the majority of its flight requirements
  • All 160 pilots and cabin crew, all flight slots, and two aircraft of Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium expected to transfer to Brussels Airlines on completion

 

Thomas Cook Belgium and Brussels Airlines today announce the intention to widen their existing partnership in a deal that will make Brussels Airlines the leading carrier for Thomas Cook Belgium. Under the terms of the proposal, Brussels Airlines will fly the majority of Thomas Cook’s customers, offering them a wider choice of destinations, flights and departure days. Subject to completion of the deal, the operations of Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium (TCAB), Thomas Cook’s in-house airline which currently serves the Belgian market, will be absorbed into Brussels Airlines.

The proposed deal will result in the transfer of all 160 pilots and cabin crew, all flight slots and two aircraft from TCAB to Brussels Airlines. TCAB’s remaining three aircraft will be redeployed across the wider Thomas Cook Group while 40 ground staff roles with TCAB would be made redundant. A collective consultation process has been initiated with TCAB’s workers’ council and TCAB is committed to working constructively with them to find a successful resolution. As a result of this expanded partnership, Thomas Cook Belgium would cease using TCAB flights from November 2017.

The proposal builds upon a successful 15-year working relationship between Thomas Cook Belgium and Brussels Airlines, opening up further growth opportunities and enabling both companies to manage aircraft and personnel more efficiently and effectively.

In addition to giving Belgian customers the choice of more departure days and an expanded number of flights, the two companies will work together to assess the opportunity to launch new long-distance flights to sun and beach destinations in North America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia over the next three years.

 

Jan Dekeyser, Managing Director of Thomas Cook Belgium, said: “Today’s announcement is great news for Belgian holidaymakers. By extending our successful partnership with Brussels Airlines, Thomas Cook Belgium will offer customers from Neckermann, Thomas Cook and Pegase 20% more flights to some of the most popular sun and beach destinations. Across our brands, we will work together with Brussels Airlines to offer a tailor-made travel experience and build the most attractive holiday offering for Belgian consumers. Our extended partnership is consistent with Thomas Cook Group’s strategy as we develop closer relationships with selected third parties to work with us to support profitable growth.”

 

Bernard Gustin, Chief Executive of Brussels Airlines, said: “The combination of Brussels Airlines’ network and expertise with Thomas Cook’s holiday business will further improve the customer offer of Brussels Airlines. On completion, Brussels Airlines will double its sun and beach destinations to 51 with the addition of Cape Verde, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Egypt as brand new destinations on the flight schedule. We feel very optimistic about the opportunities for further expansion as we grow our business to the benefit of both customers and the Belgian economy.”

The deal is subject to consultation with the Belgian workers’ council and regulatory approvals. 

 

About Thomas Cook Belgium 

Thomas Cook Belgium (TCB), with brands Neckermann, Thomas Cook, and Pegase, is one of the trend-setting companies in the Belgian tourism industry, making the holiday dreams of over 1 million guests come true every year. At TCB, more than 750 employees take care of these guests' vacations. TCB is an part of Thomas Cook Group plc, one of the world’s leading leisure travel groups with sales of £7.8 billion in the year ended 30 September 2016. Thomas Cook is supported by 22,000 employees and operates from 16 source markets; it is number one or two (by revenue) in all its core markets. Thomas Cook Group plc’s shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange (TCG).

More information on www.thomascook.be

Wencke Lemmes

Media Relations, Brussels Airlines

Bert Bouserie

Media Relations, Thomas Cook Belgium

James Sandford

Analysts & Investors, Thomas Cook Group

Matthew Magee

Media Relations, Thomas Cook Group

Alice Macandrew

Media Relations, Thomas Cook Group

Tej Randhawa,

Analysts & Investors, Thomas Cook Group

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About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is the home carrier of Belgium and one of the four network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. It connects the European capital from Brussels Airport with over 90 destinations, 18 of which are in Sub Saharan Africa. The company employs more than 3,500 people and operates 44 aircraft.

Brussels Airlines aims to emit 50% less CO2 by 2030 compared to 2019 and plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. The airline is participating in the Stargate Project led by Brussels Airport and is therefore part of the testing ground for sustainable aviation at its home base. In addition, the airline signed the Circular Economy agreement of the Antwerp Management School in 2021. The airline was the first to transport Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the CEPS-pipeline connecting Brussels Airport early 2023. By end 2024, Brussels Airlines will have welcomed five state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo allowing the airline to significantly lower its CO2- and noise-emissions on its medium-haul network.

As an ambassador of its country, Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world, among others through collaborations with Belgian Star Chefs, Belgian culinary products and the Belgian Icons, specially painted aircraft that honour a Belgian iconic person, team or event to promote Belgian culture worldwide.

More information on brusselsairlines.com 


About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in almost 190 countries.

Star Alliance Press Office: +65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com
More information on staralliance.com

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