Brussels, 22/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday the Commission approved rescue aid to three companies belonging to ABX Logistics (supplier of transport and logistics services) in France, Germany and the Netherlands, whose parent company is Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB). The three bridging loans may be up to a combined maximum of €123 million and are for six months. They should allow keep the three direct recipients afloat long enough to take a decision on their future and help avoid job losses. Following this approval, the Belgian authorities must, within six months of today, send the Commission either a restructuring plan, a bankruptcy plan, or proof that the rescue aid has been fully repaid. The Commission believed that this aid was justified for social reasons (if the recipients filed for bankruptcy, it could cause the loss of 7 619 jobs (4 578 in France, 2 702 in Germany and 339 in the Netherlands) and because the aid is limited to the minimum necessary amount for temporarily maintaining the viability of the three subsidiaries.