Seems my forcast of a full merger between VEX and DAT (which was labeled as being totally out of touch by Mr. know-it-all alias The Guvnor only last week) has become almost reality after the announcements of VEX and DAT over the past few days!
Let me give you some more juicy details:
DAT and VEX will merge into one single company before february 1st 2002, which will be controlled for 2/3 by Air Holding NV/SA (motherholding of DAT) and for 1/3 by the current VEX shareholders.
The new company will immediately be listed on the stock exchange of Brussels thanks to the old VEX listing.
According to the press release the new company will get a traditional and recognisable name chosen by a majority of the joint shareholders (thus in fact by DAT's Air Holding). 'Sabena' is preferred by Air holding and Richard Brandson has said he has no objections against it as he understands Sabena is a very powerful name in Europe and Africa, the 2 target markets of the new company.
Sabena will soon be up an flying again!