Lufthansa to take over Brussels Airlines

[BERLIN] Lufthansa said on Thursday it is fully taking over Brussels Airlines, with plans to integrate the Belgian carrier's short-haul routes into the Eurowings budget unit.

Lufthansa is paying 2.6 million euros (S$3.92 million) to exercise a call option for the remaining 55 per cent of Brussels Airlines that it does not already own, it said in a statement.

Bringing Brussels Airlines into the Lufthansa Group will bring benefits of a medium double-digit million euro amount per year, although integration costs may weigh on earnings in the short term, it added.

The Belgian carrier will continue to operate its long-haul routes to Africa.

REUTERS