Lufthansa Sets New Goal of Bailout Deal Before Merkel’s Exit
- Airline had sought to raise cash before Sept. 26 elections
- German voters could elect environmentalist-left coalition
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Deutsche Lufthansa AG has abandoned a goal of repaying its state bailout before German elections this month, leaving the airline group at risk of losing control over its return to normal operations after the Covid-19 crisis.
Europe’s largest carrier will seek to secure a deal on winding down the state’s 20% stake with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government before she leaves office, Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr told reporters at a media event in Frankfurt. Lufthansa had earlier sought to pay off the remainder of the 9 billion-euro ($10.7 billion) aid package before the Sept. 26 vote that will determine her successor.