Lufthansa Nears Rescue, Making Germany Its Top Shareholder

  • Carrier confirms talks for up to $9.9 billion aid package
  • Germany would get 20% direct stake, 5% convertible holding
Lufthansa Rescue Would Make Germany Its Top Shareholder
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG is close to a multibillion euro bailout deal that would see the state become its biggest shareholder after the coronavirus punctured a decades-long boom in air travel.

The shares gained as much as 8.3% Thursday after Europe’s largest carrier confirmedBloomberg Terminal it’s in advanced talks with Germany’s WSF Economic Stabilization Fund for as much as 9 billion euros ($9.9 billion) in aid. The package would include a 3 billion-euro loan, a so-called silent participation and a 20% direct stake through the sale of new shares, Lufthansa said.