Audio By Carbonatix
The airline has been in talks with Berlin for weeks over aid to help it to cope with what is expected to be a protracted travel slump, but the carrier has been wrangling over how much control to yield in return for support.
The German Finance and Economy Ministries on Monday said Lufthansa was an operationally healthy company before the coronavirus outbreak, was profitable and had good prospects for the future but had got into trouble because of the pandemic.
Rivals such as Franco-Dutch group Air France-KLM and U.S. carriers American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have also sought state aid.
Shares in the company were up 5.5% at 8.48 euros by 1507 GMT.
Lufthansa said that conditions of the deal include the waiver of future dividend payments and limits on management pay. The government will also fill two seats on the supervisory board, one of which is to become a member of the audit committee.
The plan includes Germany taking a 20% stake in Lufthansa, which it plans to sell by the end of 2023. Germany will buy the new shares at the nominal value of 2.56 euros apiece for a total of about 300 million euros.
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said the rescue package was a “very, very good solution” that takes into account the needs of both the company and taxpayers.
“The support that we’re preparing here is for a limited period,” he said.
“When the company is fit again, the state will sell its stake and hopefully ... with a small profit that puts us into a position to finance the many, many requirements which we have to meet now, not only at this company.”
The government will also inject 5.7 billion euros in non-voting capital, dubbed silent participation, into the company. Part of this could be converted into an additional 5% equity stake, either if coupon payments are missed or to protect the company against a takeover.
The silent participation will carry a coupon of 4% in 2020 and 2021, increasing to 9.5% by 2027 to encourage fast repayment.
Separately, Lufthansa will receive a 3 billion euro loan from state-backed bank KfW and private banks with a term of three years.
The bailout deal is still pending approval by shareholders as well as the European Commission.
The company and the competition watchdog are still discussing which slots at which airports Lufthansa will have to waive as a remedy to ensure the bailout does not hamper competition, a person close to the matter said.
“Scrutiny is extremely thorough as it is the first large equity-based bailout in the pandemic,” the source said.
According to business daily Handelsblatt, German chancellor Angela Merkel said that Germany would fight for remedies not being too stringent.
Latest Stories
-
ACFIF 2026: Ex-President Kufuor to deliver special address on Africa Cocoa Vision 2050
7 minutes -
4 individuals linked to PDS arrested over suspected ECG funds transfer — Kwakye Ofosu
12 minutes -
BECE: Five arrested over exam malpractice – WAEC
12 minutes -
Kofi Jumah reportedly hospitalised as GH¢55m bail conditions remain unmet
17 minutes -
‘Behind the Lens with Queen Liz’ explores concepts of heaven and jannah
26 minutes -
Quality Insurance marks 30 years with push for women-focused innovation, trust-building
31 minutes -
Ghana’s Ambassador to Libya commends CEO of Afro Arab Group
31 minutes -
Nkwanta crisis: Fresh gunfire sends residents fleeing; 26-year-old rider shot
32 minutes -
Two BECE candidates killed in motor crash in Upper West
32 minutes -
PSG, Manchester United lead race for FC Nordsjaelland star Prince Amoako Jnr
34 minutes -
Lawra MP urges BECE candidates to avoid malpractice, assures support
37 minutes -
Korle Bu laboratory scientists demand retraction from doctors over ‘false’ claims
53 minutes -
NHIA waives NHIS fees and waiting period under new ‘STORM’ initiative
56 minutes -
GTDC CEO Prof. Kobby Mensah named among top 12 global leaders shaping place branding
56 minutes -
Large accounting losses, but is the Bank of Ghana truly policy solvent?
58 minutes