Brussels Airlines set to absorb Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium

Mar 31, 2017: As part of its enhanced partnership with UK-based global travel firm Thomas Cook Group, Brussels Airlines is set to absorb Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium (TCAB). With this, Brussels Airlines will become the leading carrier for Thomas Cook Belgium.

The Lufthansa Group unit said in a statement that under the proposed deal, it would assume all of TCAB's 160 pilots and cabin crew, all its flight slots, and two of its five A320-200s. TCAB’s remaining three aircraft will be redeployed across Thomas Cook Group's other carriers - Thomas Cook Airlines UK, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia, and Condor. A collective consultation process has also been initiated with TCAB’s workers’ council concerning plans to lay off forty groundhandling staff.

"The proposal builds upon a successful 15-year working relationship between Thomas Cook Belgium and Brussels Airlines, opening up further growth opportunities and enabling both companies to manage aircraft and personnel more efficiently and effectively," the statement said.

Thomas Cook Group and Brussels Airlines will also work together to assess new long-haul flights to sun and beach destinations in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia over the next three years.

If all regulatory approvals are secured, Thomas Cook Belgium may cease using TCAB flights from November 2017.