The lack of bailout for Brussels Airlines is a result of foot dragging on the part of parent firm Lufthansa, according to Belgian’s Finance Minister Alexander De Croo.
Belgian flag carrier Brussels Airlines requested €290 million in state aid on March 17, and local media have reported De Croo as saying that since that day, “the Belgian government has spared no effort”.
In evidence to a parliamentary commission De Cross said that since March there have been 24 video conferences, three letters to the Prime Minister, and six versions of a draft agreement.
He said that Lufthansa offered no counter-proposition between 11 May and 11 June, and the German company “very often backed out on points that were important for our country.”
Belgium has been in contact with the German government since it became Lufthansa’s largest shareholder as part of a state aid deal. “In Berlin, I hear people say that it is necessary to reach a reasonable agreement with our country. I therefore hope that the same attitude will soon be adopted at company level,” De Croo said.