Brussels Airlines statement after Lufthansa Supervisory Board approval of call option

During its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG has approved the exercising of a call option to acquire the remaining 55% of shares of SN Airholding, the parent company of Brussels Airlines. This approval paves the way for a 100% acquisition of Brussels Airlines by Lufthansa with the objective to conclude the transaction by beginning of 2017.

The objective of the ongoing discussions between Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines is to keep the specifics of Brussels Airlines and to ensure the growth of its activities by keeping employment in Belgium. These specifics are its business model, based on both point-to-point and connecting traffic, and its African and intercontinental network, which contribute to the hub development of Brussels. The governance of Brussels Airlines in 2017 is also on the agenda. Keeping a decision center in Brussels is necessary in order to manage these different operations. The brand of the company remains Brussels Airlines.

New discussions between Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, the shareholders and all other parties involved will take place in October.

As soon as new information becomes available, it will be communicated.