Berlin (dpa) - German government sources have dismissed reports of top-level talks on a Lufthansa rescue package between Chancellor Angela Merkel, senior politicians and the troubled airline's chief executive at the beginning of the week.
"Reports of ministers meeting on Lufthansa at the beginning of next week are not accurate," government sources told dpa on Sunday, adding that no such comments on individual companies would be made.
Dpa had earlier cited government sources saying that Merkel was set to consider a possible rescue package for Lufthansa in talks with senior politicians and Lufthansa boss Carsten Spohr.
Like many airlines around the world, Germany's national carrier is struggling with the fallout from cancellations caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Sources close to the government has said the government was mulling a rescue package worth between 9 billion and 10 billion euros (9.7 billion and 10.8 billion dollars).
The sources had said Merkel would meet with Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier, Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer and the Lufthansa chief executive.
There is disagreement, however, about what form such assistance should take and about the degree of any temporary government nationalization of the airline.
Apparently some are reluctant to add additional yet more government oversight to the company, with some sources worrying that would add to the problems the company already faces.
The airline has been severely impacted by the pandemic. Spohr has already told employees to prepare for difficult times ahead.
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