The Belgian airlines and airports.

Moondance, thanks for the pics, but your picture of the Belgian/French coast: that is not Ostend but Coxyde military airbase!

Now let me tell you something about a company that I’m almost sure you never knew it existed – Air Belgium.
Myself don’t know much about the airline. I am using some sources from the internet.
Air Belgium was founded in 1979. It was formed by a Touroperator then: Sunair. For some reason Airtours came in and took over the company. They kept the operations for a while, but I don’ know what then happened to them. Were they absorbed into Airtours? Did they go bankrupt?
the airline operated a320’s, 757’s and 737-400’s.
Any more information about them would be welcome!

EDIT: Some research resulted in:
They were a daughter company out of Airtoures.
They stopped operations in November 2000 because of heaxvy price competition in the market. 137 people were fired.

Sabena and now SNBrussels always had an impressive network of routes to central and west Africa. I once flew Sabena to Kinshasa. The UK is very poorly connected to central and west Africa, other than Nigeria.

Very stimulating reading and some excellent pictures! Thanks.

from the VLM website

Feb 92 – Creation of VLM Airlines

Right from the start, VLM (short for ‘Vlaamse Luchttransportmaatschappij’ – Flemish Airlines) builds a reputation as a regional business airline offering time-saving connections between major economic centres in Europe. Back to top

May 93 – Antwerp – London City

VLM Airlines acts a real pioneer for London City Airport in the days when the Docklands is little more than a waste-land. Today the whole area, with its link to Canary Wharf, has emerged as London’s fastest developing business centre with its high concentration of financial institutions. Connections with central London are also greatly improved thanks to the Jubilee Line extension, which eventually will lead to a new underground station at the airport in 2005. At present VLM Airlines operates 5 return flights a day on this route. Back to top

Feb 94 – Rotterdam – London City

The takeover of this route from the bankrupt Flexair is an immediate success and VLM Airlines creates a new Dutch subsidiary, trading under the name of ‘VLM Nederland BV’. Together with London City, Rotterdam has become one of VLM Airlines’ busiest stations, with 9 daily return flights to London City. Back to top

April 96 * Düsseldorf Mönchengladbach – London City (Until March 03)

At Düsseldorf Mönchengladbach Airport, VLM Airlines also played a pioneering role as the first company to operate scheduled services from this new airport, situated some 25 kms from Düsseldorf. Over the years, the route achieves varying degrees of success and is discontinued in March 2003. Back to top

Sep 98 – Rotterdam – Manchester (Until Oct 03)

With this service, VLM Airlines began a process of diversification. The route is developed with a clear ‘bypassing’ strategy in mind, as the regional airport of Rotterdam becomes an increasingly attractive alternative to the saturated Schiphol. VLM Airlines currently offers flights from Rotterdam to Manchester via London City. Back to top

Nov 98 – Luxembourg – London City

VLM Airlines is the first airline to operate a direct connection between these two major financial centres in Europe, and the project meets with immediate approval in the banking world. At the start the route is operated in partnership with Luxair. VLM Airlines now offers 3 return flights a day. Back to top

April 99 – Scheduled services to the Channel Islands

VLM Airlines becomes the first Belgian airline to get the green light to operate scheduled services between the UK (London City) & the Channel Islands. Both Jersey & Guernsey are served in the summer season from Antwerp, Rotterdam & Luxembourg. Back to top

Sep 99 – Antwerp – Geneva (Until April 02)

In September 1999 VLM Airlines brings onto the market a new service from Antwerp to Geneva, home to various major international organisations. The route sees gradual development but, due to the demise of code-share partner Sabena and the subsequent turbulent developments on the Belgian airline market, it closes for commercial reasons in April 2002. Back to top

Dec 00 – Creation of the charter department

Ever since the company was founded, VLM Airlines has also offered ad hoc-charter flights all over Europe. International companies, organisations and many sports teams especially appreciate this formula. To meet a growing demand, VLM Airlines sets up a special charter department in December 2000. The number of charter passengers is now in the region of 25,000 per year. Back to top

Nov 01 – Brussels – London City

In November 2001 VLM Airlines enters the market with 3 daily flights between Brussels Zaventem & London City. The number is soon increased to 5 a day. With the opening of this new scheduled service, VLM Airlines reacts quickly to the Sabena bankruptcy and the increasing demand from the Belgian travel market for VLM Airlines to expand its activities from its home-base in Antwerp to Brussels. The new route further strengthens VLM Airlines’ position at the London City Airport. Back to top

May 02 – Antwerp – Manchester (Until July 03)

On 1 May 2002 VLM Airlines starts 2 daily return flights on weekdays between Antwerp & Manchester, with a short stopover in Rotterdam. Manchester, the economic centre of the north is, after London, one of the most popular business destinations in the UK. VLM Airlines currently offers 5 daily flights to Manchester via London City. Back to top

Sep 02 – Manchester – London City

From 9 September 2002, VLM Airlines opens a new Manchester – London City service. Due to the strategic position of London City Airport, VLM Airlines establishes the fastest connection between these two trend-setting UK cities. The timetable is business-focussed with a flexible ‘one way’ price structure. From the outset, the route is a great success. VLM Airlines currently offers 9 daily return flights on this route. Back to top

Jan 03 – Rotterdam – Milan (Until Dec 03)

From 13 January 2003, VLM Airlines and the Italian company, AzzurraAir launch a daily connection from Rotterdam to the Italian business city of Milan via the new airport at Malpensa. A four-engine AzzurraAir RJ85 jet operates the route with a capacity of 92 passengers. Back to top

March 03 – Start of VLM Airlines collaboration with Virgin Express on the 5 times’ daily service between Brussels & London City

Aug 03 – Rotterdam-Hamburg

VLM Airlines adds this route to its regional network due to the substantial business and port-related traffic it represents. Both Rotterdam & Hamburg are homes to some of the largest companies in the world. Furthermore, there are significant economic developments taking place in the Hamburg region. VLM Airlines operates 2 daily return flights every weekday. Back to top

Nov 03 – Independent link Luxembourg – London City

VLM Airlines provides independent Luxembourg * London City link with 3 daily return flights. Back to top

Feb 04 – Liverpool – London City

With this new route, VLM Airlines has responded to a particular adamant lobby campaign orchestrated by the Liverpool/ Merseyside community for a direct air link to London. Research indicated that an airlink between Liverpool and London City would have important economic and social impact on the business community of Liverpool. VLM Airlines flies each weekday 5 return services, and two every Sunday and one on Saturday. Back to top

Jun 04 – London City – Jersey

This new service is a continuation of the route operated by FlyBe. With 59 banks and 33,000 registered companies in Jersey, and the Docklands and City of London just a short bus ride from City Airport, VLM Airlines is bringing the two financial centres closer together while providing all the benefits of a business class service at very competitive prices. VLM Airlines operates a business orientated schedule originating in Jersey with three flights each way on weekdays, one on Saturday, and two on Sunday. Back to top

First scheme. Yuck!

Ahh, much better!

Oh yes!

I will make you a view of Sabena! I can’t recall exactly who was the CEO when. I don’t have any books of Sabena at the moment, so I’ll not be able to say exact dates.
Sabena stands for Société Anonyme d’Exploitation de la Navigation Aérrienne. When Sabena was started in 1923 out of SNETA, a previous company that was already carrying out simple flights to London and Paris, and that was researching if an airline would be successfull.
Sabena took off for the first time in 1923. They were, well what else would you expect, very loss-making. But the government always compensated the losses. Because the government always compensated the losses, Sabena never learned to be a company that could take care of itself.
The first link with the Belgian colony Congo was made in the 1930’s. Aircraft used were Junkers, Savoia-Marchetti’s and later DC-3’s. Before this, two pilots flew alone to Congo for research if such a link was possible. It was very doubtful if they were to complete their trip, and they did, and were welcomed as heroes in Brussels. The travel time was about 70-80 hours.
Sabena had a very uneventful life. I hereby mean few accidents. In the whole life of Sabena, less than 300 people lost their lives in accidents.
World War II broke out and operations were very limited, and for a year nearly completely out. If there was flown, the aircraft had to have it’s nationality painted very large on the fuselage. No aircraft were shot down in the war.
After the war, they bought DC6’s and later DC7’s. Losses, losses, losses, all compensated by the government. Sabena didn’t believe in jet aircraft very quickly.
EXPO 58!!! World Exposition in Belgium makes a very profitable year (the second one ever).
Sabena ordered 707-300’s with some strange engines at the end of the fifties. These were quickly delivered.
In the meanwhile operations to Afica were greatly expanded, Flying from Leopoldville (now Kinshasa/Brazzaville). There was nearly no African country they didn’t flew to.
1960: Congo becomes independent. Belgian people living there are in panic and want to get home – the government directs sabena to fly it’s currently two 707’s to Congo. There they were stamped full, returned to Brussels and flew back empty to rescue the stranded colonists.
end 1960: Sabena orders 747-100’s as the first airline in Europe. Belgians were stunned when they saw a PanAm 747 arriving in the beginning of 1970. End 1970 (or was it in 71?) Sabena received it’s 747’s. In the end of the sixties, Sabena also took options for a few concordes – never turned into orders.
Losses, losses, losses.
Sobelair turned up. Sabena didn’t want any competition and bought them right away. Sobelair always got the aircraft that Sabena replaced. To Sabena’s standards: old wrecks. to other airlines standards: nice second hand aircraft :rolleyes:.
1974: Sabena ordered about 12 737-200Advanced. Dassault’s Mercure was considered, but was found too big and had a too short range. In the meanwhile (also in the sixties) they were using Convair’s and Caravelle’s for their European destinations.
Also DC-10-30’s arrived in the seventies. But these aircraft were grounded more than half a year in Brussels because there was a problem with the crew. 747-200’s were also ordered to replace the -100’s
Losses, Losses, Losses.
Sabena’s fleet renewal slightly calmed down untill the end of the eighties: more than 20 737-300/-400/-500’s were ordered for a major expansion and another fleet replacement. Also A310’s were used in the beginning of the eighties.
In the beginning of the nineties, it became clear that Sabena’s losses became bigger and bigger and that something would have to change. They tried.
Many good airlines were approached, and also approached themselves for an alliance. But noooo, Sabena took Swissair, the one that would suck every penny out of them and then finally also going under. Under pressure of Swissair, an unnecesairy order of Airbusses was made. 34 Airbusses of which only half were necessairy. Here’s where it all goes wrong.
Crew and Sabena Technics all wanted 737 Next Generation aircraft. Only 12 new aircraft would have been necessairy. But no, 34 new Airbusses were ordered (not including 330’s and 340’s).
What do we have here? A profitable year! 1998 was, in theory, profitable. But it wasn’t, as the losses never were this big but the numbers were pushed up by including the sale of their 737 classics and second generations. They were sold indeed – but they were sold to lessors and were leased and replaced with Airbusses.
I believe 21 A319’s, 9 A320’s and 3 A321’s.
1999/2000, Because Swissair owns a bit too much of sabena, the Belgian government stops pumping money into Sabena, bringing them into serious trouble. Swissair also sucked all the money available out of them. Reutlinger, the fat swiss was the one to blame. He controlled Sabena with very much influence from swissair.
Trouble, trouble, trouble!
2001, Recontruction plans, salary decreasements, 20% of all employees fired: no effect. Losses were decreased, but no profits. Christoph Muller tried to save what Reutlinger messed up, but it failed. Employees start striking, making things worse and making Sabena’s image even worse!
In the beginning of november operations started to fall apart.
[B]Further to this SABENA was owed 84 million by the Swiss airline Swissair. After Swissair stopped operations on 2nd October 2001 and refused to repay the money SABENA was forced to stop flying. They filed for legal protection against their creditors on 3rd October.
This gave SABENA about three weeks to get further financial backing. With most of the main airlines in Europe fighting for passengers in the aftermath of the attack on the USA and on civil aviation SABENA failed to gain the required backing and went into liquidation on 6 November 2001.
The airline was declared bankrupt on 7 november.[/B]
The last flight coming from Cotonou via Abidjan. Employees were sick of it and climbed over fences, airport police didn’t even try to avoid it.
A very emotional moment.


More info: www.sabena.be www.sabeniens.be http://users.pandora.be/sabenapictures/

Caution, shiny floor! This is the new A pier in Brussels.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/545185/L
And that’s Brussels…
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/589301/L
Antwerp Deurne…
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/560756/L
Ostend terminal…
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/559077/L
Liège…
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/452472/L
And Charleroi Brussels South (runway length 2200 meters)
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/387216/L
THE PICTURES ARE VIEWABLE NOW!