Air Belgium expands Southern Africa route offering with Airlink

Air Belgium has signed a new commercial agreement with South Africa’s independent and premier airline, Airlink, which conveniently connects customers travelling to or from Brussels, with 36 destinations across Southern Africa.

This follows the recent inauguration of Air Belgium’s new service between Brussels, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, using the fuel-efficient Airbus A330neo aircraft.

This first cooperation agreement between both companies offers Air Belgium customers the ability to purchase multi-sector journeys for flights operated by Air Belgium and Airlink, on a single ticket. It includes the added ability to have their luggage checked through their final destination when transiting through Johannesburg.

It simplifies travel to bucket-list Southern African destinations for Air Belgium customers across the Airlink network, wanting a convenient long-haul service between the heart of the European Union’s capital and South Africa plus 11 neighbouring Countries.

Commenting on the agreement, Niky Terzakis, CEO of Air Belgium, says: “South Africa is in high demand for Belgian and European travellers. We are delighted that our dynamic agreement with Airlink will allow us to offer our customers seamless connections to 12 popular South African leisure and business destinations such as the Kruger National Park, Durban and Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth) as well as important business destinations like Kimberley, Bloemfontein and Richards Bay amongst others. We’re also excited to be able to offer our passengers the possibility to travel to bucket-list destinations within the SADC region as well as the DRC.”

Air Belgium has taken delivery of the first of two A330-900

 Air Belgium, the full-service international destination carrier headquartered in Mont-Saint-Guibert in Belgium, has taken delivery of the first of two A330-900. 

The aircraft is configured with 286 seats in a three-class layout (30 comfortable lie-flat business class,  21 premium-class,  and 235 economy-class seats). The aircraft is furnished with the Airbus Airspace cabin. All seats are equipped with the latest-generation, in-flight entertainment system, on-board wifi and mood lighting.

Thanks to the A330neo’s latest technologies, Air Belgium will benefit from cost-effective and eco-efficient aircraft solutions, while providing passengers with the best comfort standards in the quietest cabins in its class. In addition, lower noise and emissions compared to previous-generation aircraft make the A330neo a friendlier airport neighbour.

Air Belgium will deploy the aircraft on routes connecting Brussels to long-haul destinations.

The Belgian carrier currently operates an all-Airbus widebody fleet comprising A330-200F and A340-300; the A340s will be gradually replaced by the A330neos. 

The A330neo Family is the new-generation A330; it builds on the proven economics, versatility and reliability of the  A330 Family, while reducing fuel consumption and CO 2  emissions by about 25 per cent-per-seat compared to previous-generation, competitor aircraft, and offers an unrivalled range capability. The A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines and features a new wing with increased span and composite winglets for better, fuel-beating aerodynamics. 

With an order book of more than 1,800 aircraft from 126 customers at the end of September 2021, the A330 remains the most popular widebody family aircraft of all time. 

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Air Belgium to add Curaçao to its route network when it restarts flying in July

The long-haul airline based at Brussels Charleroi Airport, Air Belgium has confirmed it will recommence flying operations from 2nd July, it will also add Curaçao, an island in the Netherlands Antilles, to its route network from the next day. 

"We prefer to choose wisdom since, on the Belgian side, the requirement to present essential reasons for travelling has already been extended twice since the beginning of this year 2021. Also, Martinique has just been reclassified as a red zone by Belgium and joins Guadeloupe, which has also been a red zone for a few weeks. At the same time, the French government still imposes compelling reasons to travel to Guadeloupe and Martinique. According to information received and collected from local stakeholders, these compelling travel conditions are not expected to be lifted for several weeks", Niky Terzakis, CEO d’Air Belgium.

Air Belgium says that it expects that by July various vaccination campaigns and the implementation of the European Vaccination Certificate will have progressed sufficiently far to allow free travel within the European Union, of which Martinique and the Islands of Guadeloupe are part.

A positive future for Air Belgium as the airline reports good results for the year 2019

The Brussels based Air Belgium has managed to make a massive turnaround despite of the recent coronavirus pandemic.  The carrier has just announced positive results for the year of 2019 along with its future destinations and new services for travellers, as well as the upcoming resumption of its regular flights to the French West Indies. The airline has also secured further investment that will keep the company going as it looks set to expand. 

1. 2019 financial results and trends for 2020

2019 was marked by a major turnaround year with a well-deserved positive result. After a first complicated 2019 trimester, the actions undertaken as well as the reorientation and diversification of its activities, enabled the Company to end the year 2019 with a pre-tax profit of €5.6 M and a sales revenue of €62.5 M. This trend was confirmed in the first quarter of 2020 with a 50% increase in turnover during the same period of the preceding year.

Although Air Belgium is facing the worldwide COVID-19 crisis, its aircraft have never been grounded and have continued to operate commercial activities from Brussels and Liège Airports. To date Air Belgium employs more than 350 people, has not made any layoffs, and does not foresee any. The Company is making every effort possible to recover and to move forward.

Air Belgium puts scheduled flights on hold

It is perhaps an expected move, but fledgeling airline Air Belgium has decided to call a halt, at least temporarily, to its services to Hong Kong with almost immediate effect.

Many in the industry have questioned the viability of the new start-up airline, with both its choice of aircraft and route selection. Despite offering a good in-flight product the airline hasn't seen anywhere near enough passengers to be a commercial success. 

The airline cited 'non-respect of contractual terms by its major commercial partner regarding tariffs and load factor' for the curtailment of its scheduled operations.  The airline is, we're told looking at other avenues for resuming the flights to Hong Kong, however, in the meantime it will continue to wet lease its Airbus A340 aircraft to other carriers, such as British Airways. 

In the latest news from the carrier, it says it will continue to focus on launching its air service to Mainland China, with destinations such as Zhengzhou. The airline isn't letting any staff go at this stage as all the cabin and flight crew are needed for the wet leasing operations and the airline is in the process of contacting affected passengers it said.  

Air Belgium also says it is committed to operations from Charleroi Airport, "We also would like to make clear that our decision to operate scheduled air services from Brussels Charleroi airport is not questioned and will be maintained. Customers satisfaction and the convenience has been validated by massive positive feedback and our strategy to operate from Charleroi is to remain." its latest statement advised.

(Photo Air Belgium / Benjamin Brolet)

Air Belgium to go to America?

The new startup airline, Air Belgium is looking to already expand its route network from Brussels Charleroi Airport after only a couple of weeks into its first service to Hong Kong.  The new airline is hoping to spread its wings across the Atlantic to the US.

According to reports, the carrier has already applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for Exemption Authority and Foreign Air Carrier Permit, to allow it to offer service to America.  Once the paperwork is done and approval granted the airline believes it will be offering charter flights on the Belgium-US market before introducing its Airbus A340 into the scheduled services market.

Air Belgium currently has two Airbus A340-300s, one is currently operating the airlines' flights to and from Hong Kong and its home base of Brussels Charleroi.  The other has been wet-leased to Air France for a short-term period, however, it's believed will be returned to Air Belgium and used to operate the company's previously announced proposed services to mainland China. 

Air Belgium to fly from Brussels South to Hong Kong

The brand new Air Belgium announced that it will commense flying from Brussels South Airport for its direct flights Belgium and China, along with future destinations elsewhere in the Asian region. The airline expects its first aircraft to arrive mid February, which allowed enough time for the carrier to complete the process of gaining its operating licence. Flights will start in March to the first destinationbeing Hong Kong.

Air Belgium says it selected Brussels South because of its convenient accessibility, efficient and renowned quality service, competitive costs and the commitment to expand into a larger international airport. “Brussels South convinced us due to its very successful development and commitment to major investments and improvements of its infrastructures”, says Niky Terzakis, CEO of Air Belgium. “The airport is well established and attracts millions of travelers among which 60% are international passengers and 31% are business travelers. We are convinced that our passengers will benefit from a great service, especially because Brussels South is starting to adjust its current infrastructure.”

“We’re very pleased Air Belgium has chosen our airport,” says Jean-Jacques Cloquet, CEO at Brussels South Airport. “Being able to welcome a company such as Air Belgium on our apron allows us to switch to a new strategy and further strengthen our international position. With the first direct long-distance flights to Asia, the Far East has never been closer. We look forward to welcoming future passengers and meeting their every need.”