SNBA/Virgin Express merger sperads wings.

Translated from Dutch
http://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/news/?ID=13124

New Belgian merger-airline increases fleet and network.
BRUSSELS – The new airline that has been formed through the merger of SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) and Virgin Express (VEX) will expand its fleet and destinations. This is mentioned in the strategic plan for the future of the Belgian aviationg roup. This plan was approved by the board of directors of SN Airholding. Earlier that day it was announced that SNBA and VEX would continue under one name.

What the new name will be has not yet been announced. According to SN Airholding the new name and ‘corporate identity’ will be announced at a suitable moment to avoid customer confusion*.The two managment teams will be merged into a single team led by Beil Burrows, currently CEO at VEX. There will also be a combined corporate headquarter as soon as possible.

It has been decided that in future there are to be two seperate travelformulas*. The first one will be a very basic, low cost, product aimed at price sensitive customers. On the flip side there is a ‘upgraded’ product that is more aimed at business travellers and time sensitive customers that hold flexibility and comfort in high regard.

The strategic plan also forsees enlarging the medium and long haul fleet*. Negotiations with leasing companies* and aircraft manufacturers have already started.

New destinations
The additional long haulers are to be used to open new destinations to North America. SNBA/VEX currently does not fly transatlantic*, but has an extensive African network. SNBA/VEX intends to expand in that region, for instance by taking a share in a local airline. Cameroon Airlines is one airline SNBA/VEX is interesting in buying*.

Zaventem Airport (BRU/EBBR) will remain the hub of the group. SN Airholding wants to consolidate its leading position there. Last year SNBA and VEX carried 5,2 million passengers. The combined turnover was 946 million euros (+/- 630 million pound). The combined profit was 12 million euros (+/- 8 million pound).

* By my guess that means after april fools day. 😉
* sounds very much like the current split between VEX and SNBA. No surprise there then.
* While it is of course interesting to hear about the new medium and long haulers, a far more interesting question hovers over the short haulers. The ARJs are not know for their stellar economics. The few BAe146s are even worse. And then there is the current mix of SNBA A319s and VEX 737allsorts. The A319s are relatively new if I am not mistaken. But the 737s, while more numerous, are a lot older (being 300 and 400 series) and are a wide mix of subtypes.
* Lufthansa has 2 A330s that are former SABENA planes. Their leases end this year so it might be a good idea to take them?
* An extensive code share with AA has filled that gap.
* It is unclear from the article if the take-over is going to be in part, a token mayority (50%+1) or complete.