by Lufthansa Flyer | Apr 15, 2016 | Eurowings, Featured, Lufthansa |
In an effort to expand Lufthansa’s Eurowings brand, LH has been exploring options with fellow Star Alliance member ‘SAS’. Over the last 6 months, LH has been in discussions with SAS’ ownership (Norway/Denmark/Sweden Governments) to determine if some kind of merger or partnership would be possible to help both airlines accomplish their objectives. It has been no secret that the governments that have stakes in SAS want to get the airline off their books after providing an emergency lifeline to the airline in 2010 to keep it in business.
Lufthansa’s objective to is to take a quantum leap with Eurowings to put them at the top of the Low Cost Carrier (LCC) market in Europe, while SAS is looking to stem the tide of falling market share over the last several years.
From what I gather, the actual acquisition of SAS by Lufthansa is unlikely, as is a minority stake position. However, it seems that both carriers are keen on the idea of expanding their relationship that would allow Eurowings to immediately increase their footprint and give SAS the opportunity to expand their LCC market and move away from ‘Sovereign’ ownership. A partnership seems to offer the path of least resistance.
A major factor that will determine what happens between SAS and LH is what Lufthansa decides to do with Brussels Airlines. LH currently owns 45% of Belgian carrier with an option to buy the remaining stake. A Lufthansa Supervisory Board meeting on April 27 should bring clarity on this. Its widely believed that LH will acquire the remainder of the airline and actually integrate SN into its Eurowings division. LH has until 2017 to exercise the option to complete the purchase but it is likely to be completed this year if the board approves the transaction.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Apr 15, 2016 | Featured, Travel |
A few days ago, you’ll recall that I wrote about a wildcat proposal by EU Ministers to bring about visa requirements for Americans and Canadians wishing to visit EU member states. A vote was to take place this month on whether or not to move forward on the proposal and seek the approval of EU member states.
Apparently the EU may have been playing chicken, and they ‘Bawwwwked’……
In an unsurprising development, The EU Commission conveniently delayed the vote until July 12, 2016 to ‘allow all sides to reach an amicable reconciliation’ and ‘to extensively scrutinize and take into account potential adverse political consequences that might arise from such proposals or decisions’.
No kidding or as we say in ‘Murrica, No S**t.
The US and Canada were not the only targets. Brunei, Japan, and Australia all face the same ‘wrath’ from the EU.
So for the time being, it looks like this issue has been put away and like most initiatives launched by the inmates that run the EU asylum, it will probably be forgotten as the next shiny distraction comes along to occupy to EU Commission.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Apr 14, 2016 | Featured, Route Announcements, Star Alliance |
ADRIA:
Lodz – Amsterdam effective June 1 decreases from 6x/week to 4x/week service.
Lodz – Paris (CDG) effective June 2 BEGINS 3x/week service.
Ljubljana – Cologne effective April 26 is CANCELLED.
Ljubljana – Stockholm effective April 6 is CANCELLED.
Munich – Szczytno effective June 17 BEGINS 3x/week service.
AIR CHINA:
Beijing – Vancouver effective July 25 increases from 11x/week to 14x/week.
AIR NEW ZEALAND:
Auckland – Osaka effective November 4 BEGINS 3x/week service.
Auckland – Vancouver effective November 1 – November 30 increases from 3x/week to 4x/week.
AUSTRIAN:
Vienna – Isfahan 3x/week service has been delayed from April 4 to September 4, 2016.
Vienna – Marrakech effective October 26 increases from 1x/week to 2x/week.
Vienna – Tokyo effective September 4 is CANCELLED.
ETHIOPIAN:
Addis Ababa – Lome – New York (JFK) effective July 3 changes to Addis Ababa – Lome – Newark (EWR) (3x/week service).
Addis Ababa – Lome – Newark (EWR) effective October 30 returns to Addis Ababa – Lome – New York (JFK) (3x/week service).
SHENZHEN:
Nantong – Jeju effective April 23 BEGINS 2x/week service.
Shenzhen – Jeju effective April 24 BEGINS 2x/week service.
Wuxi – Tokyo (NRT) effective May 2 BEGINS 4x/week service.
THAI:
Bangkok – Mumbai effective June 2 increases from 7x/week to 10x/week.
TURKISH:
Diyarbakir – Erbil effective April 11 BEGAN 3x/week service.
Istanbul – Atlanta effective October 30 decreases from 1x/day to 5x/week.
Istanbul – Male effective October 30 increases from 7x/week to 10x/week.
UNITED:
Newark – Brussels effective May 5 decreases from 2x/day to 1x/day.
H/T: AirlineRoute.net
