The frequent flyer programme Top Bonus had already stopped
members from using and collecting points amid uncertainty about
its future after Air Berlin itself filed for insolvency last
week.
"Because of the situation with Air Berlin and the direct
connection with the frequent flyer programme, Top Bonus had no
other choice than to take this step," Top Bonus said in a brief
statement on Friday.
Air Berlin was forced to file for insolvency after major
shareholder Etihad pulled the plug on further funding, although
it is still flying thanks to a 150 million euro ($177
million)loan from the German government.
Etihad bought a 70 percent stake in Top Bonus for 184 million
euros in 2012, and the proceeds helped Air Berlin turn a net
profit that year, the only time it has done so over the past
decade.
Bidders are currently jostling for the assets of Air Berlin,
Germany's second largest carrier.
Lufthansa <LHAG.DE>, Thomas Cook's <TCG.L> Condor, easyJet <EZJ.L>
and Ryanair <RYA.I> are among airlines interested in the
carrier's business or parts of it, while German aviation
investor Hans Rudolf Woehrl is also working on a bid.
(Reporting by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Susan Fenton)
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