** As Nigerian Airlines Await FG’s Action
As Nigerian airlines still await the Federal Government’s bailout plans occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic, their counterpart in Europe, KLM Airlines has received a lifeline from European Union (EU).
The European Commission on Monday approved, under EU State aid rules, a €3.4 billion aid measure to KLM Airlines to provide urgent liquidity to the company in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak.
A major network airline operating in the Netherlands, KLM is part of the Air France – KLM Group, in which the Dutch state holds a participation.
The Dutch state aid to KLM comes in addition to the €7 billion in funding granted by the French State to Air France announced in May.
The aid measure consists of a state guarantee on loans and a subordinated state loan. More specifically, the financing includes two loans for KLM and its subsidiaries made up of €2.4 billion, granted by 11 banks, of which three are Dutch banks and eight are international banks; and a direct loan of €1 billion, granted by the Dutch State to KLM.
Investment Minister Assures OPSN Of Support To Boost The Economy
Conditions associated with the direct state loan are linked to the airline becoming more sustainable as well as the restored performance and competitiveness of KLM, including a comprehensive restructuring plan and contributions made by employees.
“KLM plays a key role in the Dutch economy in terms of employment and air connectivity. The (coronavirus) crisis has hit the aviation sector particularly hard. This €3.4 billion euros state guarantee and state loan will provide KLM with the liquidity that it urgently needs to withstand the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
“The Netherlands imposed certain conditions on the aid measure with respect to profit allocation, working conditions and sustainability,” Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said.
Vestager added that member states are free to design measures in line with their policy objectives and EU rules.
Nigerian airlines and professionals have sought bailout funds from the government to support their operations.
At a webinar recently, Chief Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace had canvassed for financial assistance for the airlines to pay workers’ salaries.
Onyema said that the future of some of the workers in the sector was not secure without support from the government.
