SABENA AND SWISSAIR have made their marriage official with the signing of the final documents on 25 July. The deal will give the Swiss carrier a 49.5% stake in its Belgian partner (Flight International, 26 July-1 August).
Joint work groups are already studying various alliance projects, with initial recommendations expected to be put in place, by the start of the winter timetable, at the end of October. Frequent-flyer programmes have been brought together, and the carriers plan to share sales and ground services.
The studies will also look at harmonising fleets on regional and charter operations, as well as broader co-ordination of timetables, maintenance and services.
Under the deal, Sabena will receive a badly needed capital injection of BFr10 billion ($349.6 million) from the alliance. Swissair will put up BFr6 billion, with another BFr2 billion from Belgian investors and BFr1.5 billion from the country's state-owned investment agency. Swissair has already invested BFr500 million in preference shares.
Source: Flight International
