Belgian business urges Lufthansa not to merge Brussels Airlines with Eurowings

Nearly 100 Belgian companies called Monday for Lufthansa to keep Brussels Airlines based in Belgium and not to merge it with Eurowings, as the German carrier replaced the Belgian airline's top management. Lufthansa, which took control of the carrier in 2016, Monday appointed a new CE and COO at the airline. Executives at Belgian firms including Solvay and AB Inbev said in an open letter that the connectivity offered by Brussels Airlines was strategically important for Belgium and its ability to export products and services. "We are today advocating that Brussels Airlines remains a strong airline, anchored in Brussels, that meets the needs of the various segments in the market," they wrote in the letter published on the website of communications firm Akkanto. <br/>