Brussels Airlines' pilots, represented by the Belgian Cockpit Association, have tentatively welcomed Lufthansa's plans to acquire a stake in the airline's parent company.
Lufthansa recently detailed its plan to take a strategic stake in SN Airholding with a view to Brussels Airlines becoming an independent affiliate of Lufthansa Group.
Belgian Cockpit Association VP Christophe Verleye says a partnership with a major airline has been widely anticipated since the March 2007 merger of Virgin Express and SN Brussels Airlines. "It was clear that the next move was finding the support of a major airline and joining a worldwide alliance," he says.
Responding to the proposed Lufthansa deal, Verleye says: "The possible investment and the acquisition by one of the three major European airlines is generally welcomed by the pilots. We all know that in the current fierce competitive environment, a small company like Brussels Airlines, if left alone, would suffer."
He adds that major investment is needed for Brussels Airlines' fleet renewal and he welcomes suggestion that Lufthansa's involvement could be similar in style to its arm's length management of Swiss International Air Lines.
"Brussels Airlines would keep its current identity with the support of a strong partner. The pilots' group is quite confident that a major restructuring will not happen, since the operational structure of the company has already been adapted and the crew use is already pushed to its maximum," he says.
The union is now waiting on further details about the deal and its implementation.
Brussels Airlines operates Airbus A330s, A319s, Boeing 737-300s and -400s, as well as Avro RJ85s, RJ100s and British Aerospace BAe146s.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
