UPDATE 1-Lufthansa to apply for German state aid - Handelsblatt

German flagship carrier Lufthansa said on Friday it was considering requesting state aid from several European governments to help it deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

The airline group, which also owns Swiss International, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines, was speaking to governments of countries where its units are based, it said. "We have decided to speak to the governments of our home countries not only about easing burdens as before but also about active support when this becomes necessary," Chief Executive Carsten Spohr said in video message to staff seen by Reuters.

Chief Executive Carsten Spohr will take part in a meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and industry bosses on the coronavirus on Friday, a person familiar with the plans told Reuters. Newspaper Handelsblatt earlier reported the airline would petition for state aid.