STAR Alliance Facts
The unfortunate history of Star Alliance subsidies
Airline Government funding
Adria Airways Lost €3.2 million in 2008 and €13.9 million in 2009, both absorbed by the Slovenian government. Sought a €50 million
capital injection in 2010, half of which has been received.
Aegean Attempted merger with Olympic Air blocked in 2011 by the European Commission due to competition concerns. Olympic
Air was the successor to Olympic Airlines, which received over €700 million in illegal state aid.
Air Canada CA$250 million loan from the government-owned Export Development Corporation in 2009, of which CAD$100 million
was from a special cabinet-controlled EDC account.
Air New Zealand NZ$885 million capital injection in 2001.
Asiana Debt of KRW3.76 trillion to state-owned Korea Development Bank was frozen in January 2010.
Austrian Airlines €500 million in state aid from the Austrian Government to cancel debts prior to September 2009 takeover by Lufthansa –
on the back of a €200 million loan from the Austrian Government.
Brussels Airlines Loan of €125 million SN Airholding (stakeholder in SN Brussels Airlines) granted from Federal Investment Company in 2002.
Croatia Airlines 195 million Croatian Kuna in state aid between 2007 and 2009.
Lufthansa €800 million German Government contribution to Lufthansa pension fund in 1995.
SAS Sought a new capital injection of SEK 4-5 billion, half of which comes from the Governments of Sweden, Norway and
Denmark - following a similar injection in 2009 from the same sources.
South African Airways ZAR1.5 billion loan from the State in 2009/10 in exchange for shares, following a ZAR 3 billion loan from the State in 2008.
Spanair €120 million in loans and capital increases from the Catalan Government in 2010/11.
Swiss US$1.5 billion state aid in 2002.
Thai Airways THB 23 billion loan from four State-owned banks in 2008/2009.