Ailing Air Berlin said close to getting lifeline from Lufthansa

Lufthansa is nearing an agreement to operate airplanes now flying under the Air Berlin banner, according to 2 people with knowledge of the matter, letting Lufthansa bolster its discount flights as Air Berlin cuts back its routes. Lufthansa’s supervisory board Wednesday will review a plan to let Eurowings use about 40 of Air Berlin’s aircraft and their crews, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. A deal may pave the way for Air Berlin to cut about 1,000 of its 8,600 staff in coming months, Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported Sunday. The agreement is set to be unveiled at a press conference hosted by Lufthansa, Eurowings and Air Berlin in Frankfurt later this week, one of the people said. Using Air Berlin aircraft would help Lufthansa expand its Eurowings unit. <br/>