Sabena to seek bankruptcy protection

Troubled Belgian state airline Sabena will seek bankruptcy protection today after Swissair failed to provide promised financial assistance, the government announced.

Troubled Belgian state airline Sabena will seek bankruptcy protection today after Swissair failed to provide promised financial assistance, the Belgian Government announced.

Sabena, in which the government has 50.5% stake and Swissair 49.5%, is expected to seek an agreement from a commercial court to keep flying over the following weeks.

‘‘It is a concordat or bankruptcy. There are no other choices,’’ said Belgian Employment Minister Laurette Onkelinckx.