VLM gone

B*gger:mad: That means that Belgium has no quality airline any more. VLM were the best airline I’ve flown with in ages, I had six flights with them altogether and they were in a class apart.

I will truly miss them, now it looks like we’ll have to fly on bmi instead.

Ok Peter thanks for that if that does happen lets hope Rekkof start building planes, could KLM still go for the Rekkof 100?

James

Am I right that the onwer of VLM owns Denim Air so whats happing with them are they going to be the new VLM? :confused:

James

Your right with that. Denim Air, VLM and Rekkof are part of the Panta holding owned by Jaap Rosen Jacobson. At the moment only VLM has been sold. Denim and Rekkof remain part of the Panta holding.

I heard on the grapevine that Denim is to be sold as well, and that Panta wants to focus on the Rekkof adventure.

If that latter is true or not I do not know. Personally it seems to me as a strange decision to dump the profitable part of ones company and continue with the part that, at least to an outsider, seems not viable. We’ll see what the future holds.

You might want to check the Rekkof website. The site is only one page pending a update, but it has a picture of the proposed Rekkof F100, complete with winglets!

Denim Air

Am I right that the onwer of VLM owns Denim Air so whats happing with them are they going to be the new VLM? :confused:

James

With this takeover what does it mean, has VLM been succsesful on certain routes which KLM was not?

VLM has a lot of routes from LCY. KLM has only the AMS route. LCY is a highly lucrative airport, since it caters mostly to business flyers. VLM was there since the get-go and managed to build a good reputation and loyal customer base. Not least because VLM has a large network from LCY. Other carriers, BA excluded, only offer flights to their respective hubs.

Is it to do with VLM has had the right aircraft for the routes to be a success and offer a good service where KLM has the wrong aircraft?

VLM flies F50s, KLM Cityhopper flies F50s. So that won’t be the reason.

What will change will there be any change?

The number of flights from AMS will certainly drop. As I mentioned 19 flights by KLM/VLM alone is a bit overkill. Expect flights to EIN and RTM to be added (replacing LHR flights). Perhaps also flights to GRQ and LWD, but that would be guessing.

Could it be the VLM will be the domestic side of the operation and KLM would be the longer European flights and long haul side of the company?

Domestic in NL? LOL. I expect VLM to be fully absorbed into KLM Cityhopper. Maybe as a Belgian sub-brand for tax reasons or something (VLM Cityhopper, anyone?). Their fleets match quite nicely.

I have read at airliners.net that VLM might be absorbed into Air France’s Cityjet. Considering the fleet and proximity of VLM’s bases to AMS that seems less likely, but who knows?

VLM Short Haul and KLM Long Haul

With this takeover what does it mean, has VLM been succsesful on certain routes which KLM was not?
Is it to do with VLM has had the right aircraft for the routes to be a success and offer a good service where KLM has the wrong aircraft?
What will change will there be any change?
Could it be the VLM will be the domestic side of the operation and KLM would be the longer European flights and long haul side of the company?

very very sad news…… will it be that one day smaller airlines will not exist!! i hope not and i was very shocked to see this news, i would have thought vlm would stay an individual 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁

Well this will give KLM a huge advanatge at rotterdam and manchester. I fell and expansion coming on. Hopefully they keep the product and just change uniforms and logo on planes. Sad to see them go:(

Not jus that too, this will free up a lot of slots at LCY. Let’s face it, KLM’s and VLM’s combined 19 daily flights on the AMS>LCY route alone is hardly sustainable (and that is not even counting the BA flights that will start!).

This will give both companies a chance to cut the routes without loosing face. And it will give KLM an alternative to the LHR flights from the regional airports. The enthiousiasts forum for Eindhoven airport is already buzzing on the possibility of flights moving from LHR to LCY. My 2 pennies say that the RTM flight will move as well.

Such a move would free up LHR slots for highly lucrative NWA flights to LHR, remember that with their tight alliance KLM and NWA split revenue 50/50 on the transatlantic market. With that in mind I would not be susprised if the additional proceeds on (NWA) LHR routes alone will pay off KLM’s investment in just a few years.

In one short move KLM managed to:

I’d say, good move KLM! Will be a shame to see VLM go though. Will have to book a flight with them soon. Always wanted to try the LCY approach.

Well this will give KLM a huge advanatge at rotterdam and manchester. I fell and expansion coming on. Hopefully they keep the product and just change uniforms and logo on planes. Sad to see them go:(

Wow, did not see this one coming. Mind you, I knew they where in talks with KLM/AF about forming a partnership, but a complete take-over? I would not have though that the anti-trust autorities would allow that. The combined KLM/VLM would be extremely strong in NL.

So will they stay as VLM working with Cityjet or go into Cityjet hope they keep the Fokker 50’s 😀 Such a shame I liked VLM there Livery and when I flew on them 🙁

RIP VLM 😡 🙂

James

http://www.flyvlm.com/emc.asp?pageId=1184

Theres the press report

Shame. I really enjoyed the VLM product.