Yeah, another milestone (irony) in the history of Belgian commercial aviation. Seems like VG Airlines, one of Sabena`s succesors, is also going to file for banckrupty. What went wrong; mmm let`s say a mixture of bureaucracy you can only imagine if you live in Belgium, bad managment and … dirty games played by some politicians and the press who would rather see SN Brussels Airlines survive than VG.
As for now, all flights have been cancelled, and the maintainance crew (who`s still working for Sabena technics) is striking.
200 people will probably lose their jobs due this.
The sabena-aftermath is really beginning to look like one of those cheap Australian soap-series. We`ll just see what happens, I`ll try to keep you up to date.
By: dan777 - 11th November 2002 at 19:53
RE: Delsey / VG Airlines almost banckrupt
It is reported that the airline was struggling just to acheive 30% load factors! I think they just chose the wrong routes. New York is O.K i guess but they may have been more successful flying to Africa or in Europe – or become a low – cost airline even!
regards
dan777
By: mongu - 11th November 2002 at 18:34
RE: Delsey / VG Airlines almost banckrupt
The only way that airlines from the smaller European countries can survive is by adopting a “European airline” mentality and not restricting themselves to their home market. To use a US analogy, do you think the notional “Missouri Airlines” could survive?
In theory, all EU carriers have the right to operate freely all over the EU – eg. VG could have flown between LHR and FRA, or MAD to LIS.
By: Comet - 11th November 2002 at 14:19
RE: Delsey / VG Airlines almost banckrupt
I’m off with VLM again next year, my travel company does not even offer flights with SNBA (it’s the only British firm which operates to Belgium and does not use SNBA, and it’s also the only British firm which offers Mechelen as a destination).[www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sabenabelgianairlines]
By: Geforce - 7th November 2002 at 20:24
RE: Delsey / VG Airlines almost banckrupt
You`re right Comet, today`s is indeed the first anniversary of Sabena`s `demise`. There were even some funeral services around the country. Even today, it`s hard to imagine how such a wonderful airline could ever fail. I don`t think SN Brussels Airlines has much of a future either, and we might as well face it: the competition in Europe is just too darn big, and new EU-regulations have made it impossible for flag carriers to survive without financial aid from their national gov`t. The only option is to cooperate with other flag carriers and form coalitions. Only, Sabena had a bad partner.
VG is not even making the headlines anymore. I think after Sabena the shock can`t be that big anymore.
By: Saab 2000 - 7th November 2002 at 16:42
RE: Delsey / VG Airlines almost banckrupt
So close to the day when Sabena died makes it am even saer occasion for Belgian aviation 🙁
By: Comet - 7th November 2002 at 14:28
RE: Delsey / VG Airlines almost banckrupt
Bloody hell Geforce – what is happening to Belgian aviation? It’s one year to the day since Sabena went and now VG/Delsey. I have alot of sympathy for the staff who thought they were getting back into work after the loss of Sabena, now it’s all happened again. I sincerely hope that all Belgium’s existing airlines (SNBA, VLM, Sobelair etc) manage to survive.[www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sabenabelgianairlines]
By: Geforce - 5th November 2002 at 18:25
RE: Delsey / VG Airlines almost banckrupt
Yeah, the company has filed for banckrupty today, and most likely they`ll get it tomorrow.
By: Saab 2000 - 5th November 2002 at 09:03
RE: Delsey / VG Airlines almost banckrupt
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-11-02 AT 09:03 AM (GMT)]All of their 3 A330’s have been grounded by Sabena Tech. because they can’t pay their bills.
It is sad that yet another Belgian airline is going under.I feel sorry for the people who will probably loose their jobs again.
However,this is the problem of mis-management and no proper business plan.Was it ever likely to survive?
Looks like Air Holland could go under as well…
By: Geforce - 4th November 2002 at 23:58
RE: Delsey / VG Airlines almost banckrupt
Here`s one link to a Belgian newspaper (Dutch only,sorry)
http://www.standaard.be/nieuws/economie/index.asp?articleID=DST05112002…
For all you Dutch-speaking Sabena-maniacs … from next sunday at 2015 Canvas (Flemish Broadcasting Channel) will bring us a new TV-serie on Sabena.
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November 4, 2002 at 11:45 pm