German airline Condor is still flying Monday despite the
insolvency filing of parent company Thomas Cook Group and the grounding of U.K.
sister brand Thomas Cooks Airlines.
In a statement, Condor said that it has applied for a bridge
loan with the German government. "Condor has specialized in holiday
flights for over 60 years and is the first airline of choice for many leisure
travelers," CEO Ralf Teckentrup said. "The reason for this, besides a
large destination network, is an excellent product at an attractive price and
an outstanding sales network throughout the travel and tourism industry. We
will continue to concentrate on what we do best: flying our customers to their
holidays safely and on time."
Bloomberg reported Monday that the Germany's Economic
Ministry said it is "urgently assessing" Condor's request for a
bridge loan. The ministry did not immediately respond to a Travel Weekly email
Monday morning. Condor did not reveal how large of a loan it is requesting.
The German cabin crew union UFO said that the German state
of Hesse, which includes Condor's base of Frankfurt, has agreed assist the
airline. It called on the federal government to do the same. The Hessian
economic ministry could not immediately be reached for confirmation.
"The popular German holiday flyer is a profitable
company that regularly made profits in the travel business," the union
said. "To save the company, Condor needs a government bridge loan."
Thomas Cook Group ceased operations Monday after it failed
to obtain the £200 million loan needed to secure its survival. The closure has
stranded approximately 600,000 travelers who are currently on trips provided by
Thomas Cook's tour operating brands or on flight-only deals on Thomas Cook
Airlines.
In May, Lufthansa Group said it was making a nonbinding offer to acquire Condor.