Advertisement

German tourism giant TUI to receive €1.2 billion aid package

The Local Germany
The Local Germany - [email protected]
German tourism giant TUI to receive €1.2 billion aid package
A TUI plane parked at Hanover airport on April 8th. Photo: DPA

Tourism giant TUI and the German government agreed on Wednesday to a second massive aid package, in a sign of how the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are still battering the industry.

Advertisement

The Hanover-based company agreed to a 1.2 billion package with German public lender KfW, intended to bolster the firm through its winter 2020/21 season.

The new funds add to the 1.8 billion government loan that the company agreed to in April.

The company previously announced that it would cut 8,000 jobs worldwide to
reduce costs.

READ ALSO: German tourism giant TUI suspends most operations over coronavirus fears

TUI's hotels, flights and cruise ships were empty at the height of worldwide lockdowns and have struggled to reopen as major destinations such as Spain have seen virus infections spike and been subjected to further quarantines.

Advertisement

The additional money means TUI would have credit lines of 2.4 billion, according to the company. The new funds comprise 1.05 billion in loans and 150 million in convertible bonds.

"The 1.2 billion stabilisation package strengthens TUI's position and would provide sufficient liquidity in this volatile market environment," TUI said in a statement.

CEO Fritz Joussen said the group had already introduced "massive cost
reductions in good time and implemented them quickly and consistently".

"However, no one knows at present when a vaccine or medication will be
available and what effects the pandemic will have in individual markets in the
coming months," Joussen added.

"Therefore it is right and important to take further precautions together with the German government."

TUI announces its third-quarter results on Thursday.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also