About: VLM

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. This has something to do with Luxair

This picture is taken with a 120 mm lens. Antwerp has a runway of 1480 meters, heading 29/11. There is ILS at 29, including VOR and NDB. You can get really close to action here. There’s no fence (!) Only razor wire where the planes fly over; a bit further a strenthened wooden fence and then iron fence with razor wire on it. I went spotting there once, but there is absolutely nothing to see except for a small Cessna each five minutes. There are around 10 commercial rotations a day here. In April, american troops landed there (I think 70 soldiers) with helicopters and stayed here for one night. A lot of material for the war passed trough the port of Antwerp, one of the most important ports in the world. When KLM stopped operating the Amsterdam route thrice (not sure) daily to Amsterdam, the airport was really calming down and making losses. VLM is the only airline operating here, only Welcome Air operates to Innsbruck with a Do 328 jet in the ski season. There are a few business jets based here.
Antwerp has a big diamond sector, the airport is important for this. The airport has a viewing terrace and a free parking.
The runway needs to be extended because there are new regulations to become in force soon, which wouldn’t allow Fokker 50s operating here. There were planes to extend it anyway, but these planes were abondoned untill the EU revealed these plans. Now there is almost enough money to replace the connection road right before Runway 29 with a tunnel. In front of 29 are just famer lands, so this wouldnt give a lot of problems. The neigborhoud is in a serious need of jobs, so the extension would only mean good things (theres a curfew from 23 untill 6.30).
The situation for the airport is now normal; little profit but enough.
I’ll try to post some pics here soon, maybe I’ll go there monday or sunday if you’re interested to make some pictures.