Sabena’s Final Descent: The Tragic End of a Belgian Icon

The case study explores the factors leading to the bankruptcy of Sabena, Belgium’s national airline, examining strategic mismanagement, governmental oversight, problematic alliances with Swissair, and controversial fleet management decisions. It highlights the complexities and challenges within the European airline industry and offers insights into corporate governance and competitive strategy failures.

The teaching objectives are to analyze strategic management failures and their impact on corporate longevity, examine the role and implications of government and private partnerships in the airline industry. The case explores the dynamics and potential pitfalls of strategic alliances, emphasizing the highly competitive nature of the airline industry and assessing the effectiveness of Sabena’s multiple restructuring efforts.