Eurowings Group announced (09-Jul-2018) the integration of Brussels Airlines and Eurowings is due to enter "the next decisive steps", with the following business plan scheduled for implementation in 2019:
- Brussels Airlines to become long haul "competence centre" of Eurowings Group, steering all long haul activities of the entire group out of Brussels. The airline will actively participate in the Eurowings Group pan European growth strategy by becoming the main operator for expansion to other airport bases in the French and Dutch speaking part of Europe;
- Eurowings airline to become the short haul competence centre of the Eurowings Group, steering the short haul portfolio from Cologne.
Lufthansa Group board member and Eurowings CEO Thorsten Dirks stated: "Joining forces with Brussels Airlines will not only strengthen our position as the #3 low cost carrier in Europe but also spur further Eurowings Group growth in the future". Both airlines will continue to operate long and short haul services out of their respective bases in Brussels, Cologne, Duesseldorf and Vienna. Mr Dirks added: "The scattered European aviation landscape is beginning to consolidate - the new structure of Eurowings Group will make it possible for us to be at the helm of this development". [more - original PR]