Air Orange From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (11 years 2 months ago) and read 891 times:
KLM cannot find a right partner. Sabena is almost bankrupted. Luxair is also facing stormy wheather. Wouldn't it be great to merge those three airlines into "Benelux Airways" flying together with Northwest? The relationship between the three lowland countries is very good so why shouldn't they? They could make Brussels and Amsterdam as two major hubs and Luxembourg as the European feeder airport. The three should be connected by the TGV (high speed train). What do you think about this?
Swake From Belgium, joined Jan 2001, 231 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (11 years 1 month 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 815 times:
and don't forget the attempt with BA and KLM back in the 80's
Rumour was that the french (belgians) didn't like it. Seems they won back then, since SN teamed up with AF which was an announced failure.
Personally I don't like the idea. SN and certainly Luxair would become mere feeders to Schiphol for intercontinental and lower yielding intra european flights.
If SN is to survive and keep some of its identity it 'll be as a niche partner in a major alliance, Oneworld is the only 1 that comes to mind here
I hope no hard feelings Dutch bros but I guess the Swedish would swear to when they had to go through CPH heading for JFK, NRT,...
GOT From Sweden, joined Dec 2000, 1912 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (11 years 1 month 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 807 times:
It's a great idea, but there are lots of problem to slove bfore it can be a reality.
1. There is a lot of prestige in this. For example, which airport will be the main hub, AMS or BRU? Or can they split between? I don't think that solution would be economical.
2. Here in Europe we have a big problem when we want to merge two companies. It's spelled European Union. I think it would be really hard to get this through as EU wants to have each country as a single market instead of the hole EU area as one.
3. Even though these countries are close together there might be big differences in culture. In which order do we make this thing? How do you make career? Can people really work together with each other? There are different languages.
If it's done it's a good idea but I don't think it would work in reality.
GOT
Just like birdwatching - without having to be so damned quiet!
KALB From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 573 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (11 years 1 month 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 793 times:
As an American belgo-phile (one who loves Belgium, Belgians, and any thing belges) I think KLM would not want to be saddled with Sabena's operating difficulties. I think Swiss Air's majority interest in SN will be most helpful in keeping SN solvent, and keep BRU as an important air center.
Airbusluver From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 155 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (11 years 1 month 4 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 768 times:
Will never happen. First, it wouldn't get past the governments. Second, KLM already has a partner with NWA. A BIG partner. Luxembourg has a puny airport also. It is too complicated, and I can guarantee it will NEVER happen.
Luxair From Luxembourg, joined Jan 2001, 718 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (11 years 1 month 4 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 745 times:
I think that Schiphol is not extendable in the future so what I heard is that KLM is searching
for a solution because they need more space. But instead of creating a new Airline would it be
not better to build a new big Airport together? Ok I know that this is nearly impossible because
of political aspects but what do you think about?
Air Orange From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (11 years 1 month 4 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 740 times:
Great idea that new airport! Location? Between Tilburg, Turnhout and Eindhoven would be the perfect spot to build one. Excellent connections and in the middle of the Benelux.
Myself From Belgium, joined Feb 2001, 207 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (11 years 1 month 3 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 719 times:
Given the following facts :
1. The lack of vision and goodwill of the Belgian Government resulted in poor infrastructure at BRU ( no high speed train station, no terminal for SN, no smooth transfers Shengen-non-Shengen )
2. The french politicians were and still are allergic to anything that's Dutch or Flemish and potentially successfull.
3. Sabena carries with it a rather negative reputation when it comes to merging or alliance-building, which is a pitty. SN operations at BRU are surprisingly well-organized and smooth and SN still has a great growth potential.
As a result I would also consider chances of SN and KLM getting together as being quite small.
But it could have worked out really nice :
Two nice hubs ( AMS as main hub of course ! ), a high-speed train connection ( just 1hr ride as opposed to Thalys Brussels South to CDG in 1h40)
KLM Longhaul concentrated on Asia and Middle East, SN on Africa and both sharing the American routes.
BRU and AMS as back up for each other in case of irregularities at one of the airports.
But too bad,............or too early to tell yet ?
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