Deutsche Lufthansa AG announced plans to acquire SN Airholding, parent of Brussels Airlines

, which operates 300 daily flights from its Brussels hub to more than 50 European destinations. If the deal is approved by both companies' boards and government regulators, Lufthansa said it would initially acquire 45 percent of SN Airholding, purchase the remaining 55 percent two years later and maintain Brussels Airlines as an independent operation within the Lufthansa Group. Lufthansa also reportedly is interested in buying a stake in Star Alliance partner Austrian Airlines.