The French government is close to finalizing a recapitalization plan for Air France after addressing some antitrust concerns raised by the European Commission, according to people familiar with the matter. The multi-billion-euro package could be announced in the coming days following final approval from Brussels and the board of parent Air France-KLM, said the people, who asked not to be named because the information isn’t public.
A spokeswoman for Air France declined to comment, as did the government. The European Commission said it’s in discussion with French authorities and “won’t prejudge the timing or outcome of these contacts.”
France and the Netherlands, which own a combined 28% stake in Air France-KLM, have been in talks for months on follow-on funding plan after granting the group 10.4 billion euros ($12.3 billion) in direct loans and state-backed guarantees last year. The carrier, which had net debt of 11 billion euros at the end of last year, has said it’s planning to raise equity and quasi-equity.
As part of its state-aid deal last year, Deutsche Lufthansa AG agreed to hand 24 slots a day in Munich and Frankfurt to rivals, according to an EU document. Les Echos reported Thursday that Air France will need to give up fewer positions at Orly, together with some at its main Paris Charles de Gaulle hub.
Lufthansa’s deal also stipulates that it can’t acquire a stake of more than 10% in an operator in the same line of business until at least 75% of the aid is repaid. Dividends, share buybacks and executive pay are also curtailed.
Air France-KLM last month reported an increase in cash burn in the last three months of 2020. Chief Financial Officer Frederic Gagey said a recapitalization was due within days or weeks.