Ah, so this may have a lot to do with what "Brexit" headlines it produces. Of course that couldn't possibly influence the outcome could it? :hmm:

As I understand it Germany somehow has different rules for the government helping airlines out as with Air Berlin, despite us all being part of the EU and subject to EU law, for the moment at least.

would that make no odds, German or English ? I thought EU law is governments could not assist airlines ??

Not sure of the detail but as I recall reading there was a difference with Air Berlin that meant they could continue trading for a period, in a similar way that US airlines can under protection from creditors. This meant that it could continue to help with any repatriation I think.

Airberlin had an "bankruptcy self managed" that means they filed bankruptcy but had an own guy taking care of it, and by this they needed money from the government (150Mio €) and were able to continue trading/ dealing to split up everything. The 150€ from the government saved the salaries for 3 months so the airline wasn't grounded. Reason for this were the expensive slots and other stuff. They now managed to pay back all 150mio€. Slots were not lost, and were traded.

but I don't see a reason why LH should by Condor. There is Thomas Cook Aviation (old new subsidiary Airberlin aviation 2.AOC) which is operating a lot cheaper with a modern 321sharklet harmonized fleet. If Lufthansa buys, then that airline with slots!

As much as it is true that LH would be able to organize flight planning for DE, I am pretty sure the German anti competition watchdog would not be amused ...
It woud be a hard sell for LH to get a waiver for a takeover.

Are you seriously suggesting that a crew would knowingly operate a flight unsafely due to speculation on a Internet rumour board? If that was remotely true then said crew are not fit to fly under any circumstances. Integrity is not a matter of situation

If the crews don't feel fit to fly due to undue pressure then don't fly, it's literally the first thing on the human factors course.
The safety of the passengers is the only consideration.

I listened to the head of TSSA on the radio this morning. He very sensibly pointed out that the most important thing the government should remember while dithering is that, should TC go down, that will effectively leave a monopoly situation re package holiday and that monopoly will be with TUI. I know Jet2 could be considered but I think he was right, TUI would trump the lot.
Somebody further up the thread mentioned this demand for £200M as being needed to run the airline right now. My understanding of the bank's demands (RBS, aka UK Government, isn't that an irony?) for the £200M is to cover any difficulties TC may have over the winter season with a lack of bookings. In that case, I would think it would be no big deal for the government to underwrite any losses that may arise in the event of undersold booking. With a guarantee to cover that, the banks don't need sacks full of money.
As for the EU rules, what would they do if they considered any aid from the government as a subsidy? Kick us out of the EU? Hang on, we have done that to ourselves anyway. And doesn't Airbus wallow in subsidies? And what about Air France? I don't know for certain but I have been led to believe they receive subsidies on a regular basis, to prevent them going under.
Finally, if it is any consolation, while spending a good day photographing planes at Gatwick today, I reckon I must have seen half a dozen of TC's planes arrive.
I really hope the idiots in Whitehall come up with a plan, and soon. If they don't and TC is allowed to fail, I will have to come to the conclusion that the government (via their bank) have virtually conspired to push TC into this position. Frankly, I would prefer to see the government fail, rather than TC!

only people who have been in such an situation can talk about it. Its not an obvious pressure. Its a nice pressure because you do everything to keep your airline up because you love it. its feelings. So it doesn't feel like negative stress and pressure. But it somehow is. And then small things happen and you know : Why didn't you just leave the A/C on the ground ?

Surely it should have been the idiots in TCX Management that meant this situation never occurred?

TCX's best hope is that the Chinese conglomerate Fosun agrees to stump up the additional £200m reserves requested by the Banks. Until they refuse, the Directors will be concentrating on that avenue, as it provides a long-term solution. Failing that, there may be other avenues under discussion, such as:
- fire sale of assets
- new lines of credit from banks (unlikely)
- another potential rescuer (unlikely)
It's inconceivable that Government will provide rescue funds.

I wish all those associated with TCX well. Rest assured that the Directors will be doing everything they can to save the company. That's what they are paid for, and their reputations will be damaged by failure.

| friend went into one of their shops today as he's paid a deposit on a holiday and was told to come back next week. He was told by someone there that it's looking like planes grounded sometime Sunday.

Fosun have already walked away, which is why Thomas Cook Group appealed to the Government days ago. This was all published in the New York hearings that I posted about in this thread but was dismissed about owing to the fact that I know nothing.... I know plenty to say that what we are seeing now, is exactly because of what happened in New York last week. Fosun is the red herring in all this. The bondholders have said no. Thomas Cook is now asking the British Government (note, not the German or Scandinavian Govts where they have significant and more profitable operations) for a bailout.

It won't be forthcoming. We are now entering the final 24 hours of the existence of the oldest British tour operator, sans a an 11th hour billionaire willing to buy up assets over two countries and and an orderbook of debt.

Sorry, but its true.

11pm tomorrow is the standard time that the proverbial hits the fan... (00:00CET). That's the point when administrators would legally have to take over, or liquidation (worse case) would happen.