British Airways and SN Brussels
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British Airways and SN Brussels
A marriage between the Belgian airline SN Brussels Airlines and British Airways has not been excluded. That says Rod Eddington in a interview with the paper "Le Soir" (also small articel in "Het Nieuwsblad"). "The management of the Belgian airliner is doing everything to create a healty airline company. And they seem to succeed. As soon as that first objective is realized, we can start talking about a possible investment of capital," according to the British leading figure.
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Jense
Did I read somewhere that there is room only for three kinds of airlines nowadays: the big carriers (BA, AF, LH), the low costs (FR, EZY) and the niche players.
If SN can be considered as a niche player for its African network, in Europe it will have to choose an alliance with one of the big cigars. BA seems the most suitable one...
The name tells it all: SN BA !
If SN can be considered as a niche player for its African network, in Europe it will have to choose an alliance with one of the big cigars. BA seems the most suitable one...
The name tells it all: SN BA !
André
ex Sabena #26567
ex Sabena #26567
That would be some great news if BA would invest some money in SNBA.
Jense, don't worry, I'm sure that BA would let SNBA fly independantly, they just want to control it in some ways. Especially if SNBA will be considered as a niche player.
For the moment they have proven to everybody that you can run an airline in such difficult times without making too much losses, or even break even. And that's quite rare those days....
Ciao
Chris
8)
Jense, don't worry, I'm sure that BA would let SNBA fly independantly, they just want to control it in some ways. Especially if SNBA will be considered as a niche player.
For the moment they have proven to everybody that you can run an airline in such difficult times without making too much losses, or even break even. And that's quite rare those days....
Ciao
Chris
8)
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Sabena_690
- Posts: 3378
- Joined: 20 Sep 2002, 00:00
Some questions from my side...
1) what will BA have to give up when they take a majority stake into SNBA? With LHR being very slot restricted, I don't think they like to loose slots...
2) what will be the consequence for the SN network? Being an 'airbridge' to LHR to fill BA planes?
3) with the open skies agreement EU airlines are fighting for, will we seen long haul flights in BRU operated by BA?
4) @demol: why would BA open the door for SN to Commonwealth countries, instead of putting pax on the plane to LHR to connect to those countries over there?
Regards
Frederic
1) what will BA have to give up when they take a majority stake into SNBA? With LHR being very slot restricted, I don't think they like to loose slots...
2) what will be the consequence for the SN network? Being an 'airbridge' to LHR to fill BA planes?
3) with the open skies agreement EU airlines are fighting for, will we seen long haul flights in BRU operated by BA?
4) @demol: why would BA open the door for SN to Commonwealth countries, instead of putting pax on the plane to LHR to connect to those countries over there?
Regards
Frederic
Brussels Airlines - Flying Your Way
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wolle_alol
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 20 Jan 2004, 00:00
I think if British airways takes over our dear 'sn brussels airlines! , snba has the possibility to become a world player such as iberia did, when british airways took a stake in Iberia. When snba will become a sister of British airways, brussels will be the 'port' to Africa, a continent with lots of opportunities. Airline market will grow very fast in africa, the only continent where airline market isn't consolidating.
==> 1. SNBA will make more profits
2. Brussels will be a very important airport in Europe and the world
3.Belgian economy will know an impulse.
==>SNBA and British Airways? YEAH!!!!!!!
==> 1. SNBA will make more profits
2. Brussels will be a very important airport in Europe and the world
3.Belgian economy will know an impulse.
==>SNBA and British Airways? YEAH!!!!!!!
In these hard times for the aviation industry, financial backing from BA to SNBA can only be good news.
SNBA is only a few years old and needs a parent company in order to keep growing. Growing organically is no the best long-term option for SNBA.
The African routes served by SNBA can certainly be increased in terms of flights and new destinations. Maybe Brussels will one day be the gateway to Africa just like Madrid is the gateway to Latin America. That would be nice.
If SNBA want to go in that direction they will definitely need financial backing, advice and experience from a well established airline such as BA.
Captain.
SNBA is only a few years old and needs a parent company in order to keep growing. Growing organically is no the best long-term option for SNBA.
The African routes served by SNBA can certainly be increased in terms of flights and new destinations. Maybe Brussels will one day be the gateway to Africa just like Madrid is the gateway to Latin America. That would be nice.
If SNBA want to go in that direction they will definitely need financial backing, advice and experience from a well established airline such as BA.
Captain.
Once again, call me pessimistic but I don't see it happening anytime soon...
A look at the British press would soon tell you how REALLY BAD BA is doing!!!
They're loosing a lot of money while the other two large Europeans (AF and LH) seem to do much better...
BA is laying off THOUSANDS of employees and cutting many routes...
They don't have money to invest in their own operations or their partner IB, so why would they have any for SNba??
The only attractive asset SN has to offer is BRU. The European capital has got an intl airport with LOADS of spare capacity!
And the Belgian carrier joining OneWorld? I wouldn't hold my breath either... How many hubs can they have in Europe? What can they offer? SN has maybe 10African routes that would be new to the OW system... not a big deal I'm afraid.
And would Swiss welcome SN? That remains to be seen too...
Of course, that would be the best options for SNba but I don't see either happening anytime soon... and so many things can happen in that industry!
VFlies
A look at the British press would soon tell you how REALLY BAD BA is doing!!!
They're loosing a lot of money while the other two large Europeans (AF and LH) seem to do much better...
BA is laying off THOUSANDS of employees and cutting many routes...
They don't have money to invest in their own operations or their partner IB, so why would they have any for SNba??
The only attractive asset SN has to offer is BRU. The European capital has got an intl airport with LOADS of spare capacity!
And the Belgian carrier joining OneWorld? I wouldn't hold my breath either... How many hubs can they have in Europe? What can they offer? SN has maybe 10African routes that would be new to the OW system... not a big deal I'm afraid.
And would Swiss welcome SN? That remains to be seen too...
Of course, that would be the best options for SNba but I don't see either happening anytime soon... and so many things can happen in that industry!
VFlies
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Sabena_690
- Posts: 3378
- Joined: 20 Sep 2002, 00:00
@vflies,
Are you joking?
Lufthansa just announced quite a big loss for 2003, while British Airways announced a nice profit together with a strong 3th + 4th quarter.
LH foresees a better 2004 (revenues are increasing), and BA keeps on cutting costs to maintain their financial objectifs.
Further: I heard that AA prefers working together with SN, not with LX.
Frederic
Are you joking?
Lufthansa just announced quite a big loss for 2003, while British Airways announced a nice profit together with a strong 3th + 4th quarter.
LH foresees a better 2004 (revenues are increasing), and BA keeps on cutting costs to maintain their financial objectifs.
Further: I heard that AA prefers working together with SN, not with LX.
Frederic
Brussels Airlines - Flying Your Way
Wow, you must have very high acquaintances Frederic because such comments don't usually leave a company's boardroom...Sabena_690Further: I heard that AA prefers working together with SN, not with LX.
VFlies
Last edited by vflies on 25 Feb 2004, 18:39, edited 1 time in total.
You are totally right. Let's wait and see what will happen. We'll have to follow this story closelyvflies wrote: Of course, that would be the best options for SNba but I don't see either happening anytime soon... and so many things can happen in that industry!
But it wold indeed be great if Brussels would be the African gateway for the Oneworld Alliance
BTW I just hope that BA will let SNBA operate independantely like Iberia
Greetz
Chris
8)
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Sabena_690
- Posts: 3378
- Joined: 20 Sep 2002, 00:00
Like I said several times before I think SNBA is moving closer and closer to the Oneworld alliance.
I think the declairations of BA are a first step...
Like demol said I also think that BA will take a stake in SN in 2005/2006.
Indeed I also hope that BA will than give SNBA the freedom to expand in their BRU hub.
BA knows SN has a good managing team but hasn't got the big cash to release their future plans. (a typical Belgian problem, the knowledge is here but the cash must come abroad). :dammit:
We'll see what will happen...
If in the next two years we hear more positive reactions of BA
this plan could become reality...
It's no secret that SNBA is looking for a asian partner...
oneworld => BA => Cathay Pacific => SNBA
"just an idea..."
greatings,
ATC
I think the declairations of BA are a first step...
Like demol said I also think that BA will take a stake in SN in 2005/2006.
Indeed I also hope that BA will than give SNBA the freedom to expand in their BRU hub.
BA knows SN has a good managing team but hasn't got the big cash to release their future plans. (a typical Belgian problem, the knowledge is here but the cash must come abroad). :dammit:
We'll see what will happen...
If in the next two years we hear more positive reactions of BA
this plan could become reality...
It's no secret that SNBA is looking for a asian partner...
oneworld => BA => Cathay Pacific => SNBA
"just an idea..."
greatings,
ATC
BA chief eyes stake in SN Brussels Airlines
[24 Feb 2004]
BRUSSELS (AFP)
British Airways chief executive Rod Eddington does not rule out taking a stake in Belgium's SN Brussels Airlines, according to a newspaper interview.
The corporate backers of SN Brussels, which succeeded the bankrupt flag carrier Sabena in November 2001, are keen to find new investors and have not dismissed a takeover by BA.
Interviewed by Belgian newspaper Le Soir, Eddington said: "The objective of the Belgian company's directors is to make it viable, and they're making progress.
"Once this objective is reached, we can sit around the table and talk about an eventual capital participation," he said in comments given by the newspaper in French.
"But we both have to reinforce our core operations first."
SN Brussels, which flies to short- and medium-haul destinations in Europe and Africa, already has a code-share agreement with BA.
Eddington acknowledged that BA faced challenges from the success of low-cost carriers and from the merger of Air France and Dutch airline KLM, which received the green light from EU competition watchdogs this month.
But he said the British flag carrier was still keen to reinforce its own links with Spain's Iberia and American Airlines.
"We hope one day to acquire anti-trust immunity to allow us to work with the Americans. It is a very important issue," he said.
"But I also think that consolidation in Europe is equally a very important issue for BA and for other European carriers."
BA announced on February 9 a fivefold increase in third-quarter profits thanks to deep cost cuts and a modest increase in revenue, but said that security concerns were still scaring off passengers.
Asked whether he was optimistic for 2004, Eddington said: "I'm not sure that optimistic is the best word. I think, fingers crossed, that the worst is over."
But he added: "In this sector, a bad surprise can always come along."
[24 Feb 2004]
BRUSSELS (AFP)
British Airways chief executive Rod Eddington does not rule out taking a stake in Belgium's SN Brussels Airlines, according to a newspaper interview.
The corporate backers of SN Brussels, which succeeded the bankrupt flag carrier Sabena in November 2001, are keen to find new investors and have not dismissed a takeover by BA.
Interviewed by Belgian newspaper Le Soir, Eddington said: "The objective of the Belgian company's directors is to make it viable, and they're making progress.
"Once this objective is reached, we can sit around the table and talk about an eventual capital participation," he said in comments given by the newspaper in French.
"But we both have to reinforce our core operations first."
SN Brussels, which flies to short- and medium-haul destinations in Europe and Africa, already has a code-share agreement with BA.
Eddington acknowledged that BA faced challenges from the success of low-cost carriers and from the merger of Air France and Dutch airline KLM, which received the green light from EU competition watchdogs this month.
But he said the British flag carrier was still keen to reinforce its own links with Spain's Iberia and American Airlines.
"We hope one day to acquire anti-trust immunity to allow us to work with the Americans. It is a very important issue," he said.
"But I also think that consolidation in Europe is equally a very important issue for BA and for other European carriers."
BA announced on February 9 a fivefold increase in third-quarter profits thanks to deep cost cuts and a modest increase in revenue, but said that security concerns were still scaring off passengers.
Asked whether he was optimistic for 2004, Eddington said: "I'm not sure that optimistic is the best word. I think, fingers crossed, that the worst is over."
But he added: "In this sector, a bad surprise can always come along."
André
ex Sabena #26567
ex Sabena #26567