Launch partnership Thomas Cook Belgium and Brussels airlines is given the green light from Belgian Competition Authority

Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) announced today that the transfer of certain assets of Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium to Brussels Airlines is permissible. The Competition Authority’s decision permits Brussels Airlines to request the airport slots in order to  definitely commence the cooperation by the end of October.

On 30th March Brussels Airlines and Thomas Cook Belgium (Neckermann, Thomas Cook and Pegase) announced the intention to substantially intensify their existing partnership, thus making Brussels Airlines the leading airline partner of the Thomas Cook travel organization in Belgium as of end of October this year. The agreement also entailed the transfer of certain assets, including 160 crew members, the airport slots and 2 aircraft of Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium.

The cooperation project was subject to approval by the Competition Authorities which is now confirmed. The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has decided that the transfer of assets is permissible within the merger  legislation.

Upon endorsement of this important decision Brussels Airlines will now request transfer of airport slots. Once Brussels Airlines attains this slot portfolio, the intensified cooperation between Brussels Airlines & Thomas Cook Belgium can go into effect. It is the intention that - by the end of October, at the start of the Autumn Holidays - Brussels Airlines becomes the leading airline partner of the touroperators Neckermann, Thomas Cook and Pegase. The partnership will result in a wider offer of destinations, flight frequencies and departure days for both companies’ customers.

Info for the editorial offices: on  20th September Managing Director of Thomas Cook Belgium Jan Dekeyser and Brussels Airlines CEO Bernard Gustin will further clarify their plans during a press conference at Brussels Airlines b.house at 10u30.