Under the plan, 160 pilots and cabin crew working for TCAB would make the switch. 40 ground crew positions would be axed. The intention to merge was confirmed by both airlines this morning. Brussels Airlines (BA) would also take over all slots and two aircraft. Three other aircraft would be incorporated in the Thomas Cook Group. BA would carry the majority of Thomas Cook customers, and would be able to offer them a larger choice of departure dates, destinations and flights. Thomas Cook are among the leading tour operators in Belgium. The Christian trades union ACV Transcom is flabbergasted by the news that Thomas Cook intends to stop its activities. The union says the news is “a disaster for the 200 employees” and calls the decision to make 40 ground crew redundant “a disgrace”. The union also points to the fact this merger would only leave two major Belgian airlines: Brussels Airlines and Tui Airlines. However, Brussels Airlines is to be gobbled up by low-cost carrier Eurowings in 2018. Flandersnews.be / Expatica
Belgian carrier Brussels Airlines (BA) has confirmed it intends to merge with Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium (TCAB) in a move that would see 160 pilots and cabin crew move to BA. The two airlines have been working together since the early 1990s when BA bought out TCB's stake in its parent company. The deal would also see 40 cabin crew made redundant, a decision dubbed "a disgrace" by union ACV Transcom. Brussels Airlines is set to be taken over by Eurowings next year.