21/07/2017
New owner for Namur airfield
The airfield of Namur/Temploux which was created by the American Army in 1944
and has been a civil airfield ever since 1947, was privatised in 1983 when
bought by the Bertrand family.
They recently sold the company that exploits the airfield to Olivier de
Spoelbergh (who also owns part of the INBEV group). |
|
10/07/2017
Record number of passengers at Brussels Airport
 During
the first six months of 2017 Brussels Airport handled 11.5 milj. passengers.
This is a new record !
This result is 6,3 % higher than during the first part of 2015. Last year’s
numbers are not used due to the terrorist attacks from March 2016. The number of
transfert passengers rose with 18,8 %.
During June 2017 2,22 milj. passengers used Brussels airport. This also is a new
record ! |
|
05/07/2017
Emirates launches second daily flight between Brussel and Dubai
 As
of 29 October, the airline Emirates is set to run a second daily flight between
Brussels Airport and Dubai International Airport. Flights to Dubai are enjoying
rising success, which prompted the airline to increase its capacity in Brussels.
The first Emirates flight from Brussels to Dubai will be departing at 3.05 pm,
with the second flight scheduled for take-off at 8.15 pm. |
|
21/06/2017
Foreign permit aircraft allowed to operate in Belgium.
After issuing a full CofA to the Belgian registered Stampe SV.4’s in
November last year, the Belgian C.A.A. took another important decision which
gives more freedom to the Belgian General Aviation scene. As from 1st
July foreign registered amateur built aircraft as well as certain historic
aircraft (less than 5.700 kg) registered in a ECAC-member state (ECAC = European
Civil Aviation Conference) no longer require a permit to fly in Belgian airspace
for 30 days per year.
This decision recognizes the quality, safety and capability of national permit
aircraft within the General aviation community. As well as allowing such
aircraft to cross Belgium territory it will encourage visits specifically to
Belgium. We are looking forward to see more foreign aircraft visiting our
airfields.
This new rule is a result of the close cooperation between the Belgian CAA,
EFLEVA (European Federation of Light, Experimental & Vintage Aircraft) and VVMV
(Vereniging Vlaamse MotorVliegclubs) |
13/06/2017
Good results for Brussels Airlines
 During
May 2017 more than 830.000 passengers flew on a Brussels Airlines aircraft. That
is 18,9% more than in the same month last year. At that moment the company was
still recovering from the terrorist attack at Brussels Airport. But, according
to Brussels Airlines, this is not the only factor that explains this strong
growth. The successful commercial strategy results in more passengers.
The new route to Mumbai (India)
is also doing ‘very well’ as well as the cargo-activities. |
31/05/2017 SHS takes over remaining part of
Thomas Cook Belgium
 SHS
Aviation has reached an agreement to take over all remaining shares of Thomas
Cook Airlines Belgium (TCAB). The company will also employ the remaining staff
(40) and hopes to be able to use the AOC and Operating Licence of TCAB. SHS
Aviation will operate under the VLM Airlines brand.
Earlier this month VLM Airlines started operating charter flight under the newly
acquired Slovenian AOC.
|
|
29/05/2017
FlyingGroup received Diamond Safety of Flight Award
 During
the recent EBACE17 convention at Geneve Flying Group received a
Diamond Safety of Flight Award from the European Business Aviation Association
(EBAA). This accolade is awarded to operators that surpass 100.000 hours of
flying without any accident.
Currently FlyingGroup operates and maintains 43 aircraft world-wide.
"After having received the EBAA Gold Safety of Flight Award in 2014 we are very
proud to now having been awarded with the EBAA
Diamond
Safety of Flight Award." says Bernard Van Milders, President & Founder of
FLYINGGROUP. "This is currently the highest safety recognition awarded by EBAA
and we are one of the first companies to receive it " |
|
29/05/2017
Easyjet Brussels Team honored
The Brussels Team of lowcost
carrier Easyjet did a great job during 2016. They received the Spirit of Easyjet
2015 award and are honored on the nose of Airbus A.319 – HB-JYJ – that was
recently noted at Geneva Airport.
 |
12/05/2017
Pegasus Airlines to fly to Ankara
 The
Turkish company Pegasus has announced that they will start flying once a week
between Brussels South Charleroi and Ankara on a direct flight.At present they
fly into Istanbul . |
|
19/03/2017
Brussels airport increase in fright volume
In
February 2017, Brussels Airport welcomed over 1.5 million passengers, which is a
decrease of 0.4% on February 2016, owing to the leap day. Without the leap day
effect, the number of passengers would have shown an increase of 3%. Cargo
transport at Brussels Airport rose by 7.7% compared with the same month last
year, due to the strong growth in the full freighter segment. |
24/02/2017
4th special livery for Brussels Airlines
Ever since 2012 Brussels Airlines has a special relation with Tomorrowland. To
mark this 5 year relationship, Brussels Airlines created Amare, the 4th Airbus
in special livery.
(photo Brussels
Airlines) |
15/02/2017
We wish Brussels Airlines a Happy 15th Birthday.
Brussels
Airlinews was created in 2002 in the aftermath of the Sabena bankcrupty in 2001.
Over the last 15 years, nearly 79 million passengers used the Belgian airline:
70 million within Europe, 8 million on the African services and 1 million on the
transatlantic routes. |
24/01/2017
Vizion Air signs agreement with SprintAir
 Antwerp
based Vizion Air has signed an agreement with the Polish company SprintAir for
cooperation. This agreement stipulates that SprintAir will reserve two of its
aircraft (ATR72 and Saab340) for use by Vizion Air.
The ATR72 is to be based at Ličge, whilst the Saab 340 will have Bergamo as
homebase.
The agreement starts on Ferbuary 1st, 2017. |
14/01/2017
SSJ-100 for Brussels Airlines
Brussels
Airlines is to wet-lease three Sukhoi SSJ-100 Superjets to replace its Avro
RJ100's on services where smaller aircraft than the Airbus 320's are needed. The
aircraft will be leased from CityJet. |
07/01/2017
All time high for Antwerp Airport
 During
2016, more than 276.000 passengers passed through Antwerp Airport. This is an
all time high. Last time we had over 270.000 passengers was back in 2001.
All this means that there was an increase of 24% in passengers. Some 20.000
passengers flew via Antwerp in the aftermath of the Brussels attacks. The loss
of VLM flights and charters played a negative part in the story. |
30/12/2016
Cargo carriers leaving Brussels Airport
Singapore
Airlines Cargo,
Slovakia's ACG Air Cargo Global,
and Asiana Airlines
have indicated their intention to shift cargo operations away from
Brussels National
if plans to enforce tough new noise abatement regulations go ahead.
Reports indicate two carriers have already decided to leave, with
Saudia
heading to
Frankfurt
Int'l, and
Yangtze River
Airlines moving to
Amsterdam.
The new regulations are due to come into effect on March 1, 2017. Additionally,
excesses will no longer be tolerated from January 1, with severe fines for every
infraction.
Citizens groups argue that the airport is too close to the city for the number
of flights it currently operates. In November 2016, Brussels National handled
1,341 cargo flights. Total freighter cargo for the period January to November is
4.4% up. Passenger capacity is around 250,000 per week on 1,677 flights.
Airport CEO Arnaud Feist claims that the airfield will lose 25% of its freight
activity due to the new regulations while passenger airlines will also be
negatively affected.
To be continued... |
15/12/2016
Brussels Airlines taken over
Brussels
Airport is delighted with the decision by the Lufthansa Group to integrate
Brussels Airlines within the Eurowings Group according to the hybrid hub model.
Brussels Airport will become an Africa hub for the Lufthansa Group and the
network of our home carrier, both intra-European as intercontinental, will
remain anchored at the airport. This offers additional opportunities to further
strengthen the network of Brussels Airlines at the airport. A firmly anchored
home carrier is essential for the Belgian economy. |
02/12/2016
Red noses Day
The Belgian Air Force presented to the press their version of Red Noses Day:
Lockheed C-130 hercules, CH-11, got its nose painted red as the Air Force
supports this event. With this organisers want to support people with
psychologocal problems.
(photograph : Jef Pets) |
|
04/11/2016
Memorial inaugurated at Grimbergen airfield
On Friday 4th November a memorial to honor the 132 (Norwegian) Wing was
inaugurated at Grimbergen airfield. This wing operated from the airfield from
October till December 1944. The wing gave air support to the advancing allied
forces in Belgium and Holland. The inauguration was attended by a large number
of Norwegian military personnel and the Norwegian representatives in Belgium,
including ambassador Ingrid Schulerud. This event was organised by Hangar
Flying vzw.
See also the following link :
http://www.ringtv.be/nieuws/noors-oorlogsmonument-ingehuldigd-grimbergen
 |
10/10/2016
Paramount Helicopters went bankrupt
 On
6th October Paramount Helicopters was officially declared bankrupt. This company
already stopped its operations about a year ago. They were active from
Diest/Webbekom heliport and were the major operator of Robinson R.44 helicopters
in Belgium for several years. |
08/10/2016
Oman Air may start service to Brussels Airport
 Oman
Air is studying a regular service between Muscat and Brussel. Oman was
interested in a service to Dusseldorf. But, now that Brussels Airlines become a
full member of the Lufthansa group, the company may start a scheduled service to
the capital of Europe.
Oman Air already
operates 14 flights per week to Germany (Frankfurt and Munchen) and is looking
for a close cooperation with Lufthansa. |
28/09/2016
Sell out of Brussels Airlines
Lufthansa,
a 45% stakeholder, is planning a complete takeover of Brussels Airlines. The
German company may acquire the remaining shares for 2,4 million euro's. The
takeover should be completed by the beginning of next year. Whether Brussels
Airlines will keep its identity or will become part of the Eurowings story, is
not clear at the moment.
With this sale, our country will lose its last Belgian owned airline. |
|
26/08/2016
Brussels Airport test bird detection system
Brussels
Airport has installed an innovative detection system that monitors and maps the
behaviour of birds 24 hours a day. The American test installation will be
stationed here for two weeks and will provide insight into the behaviour of
birds on the airport. The airport operator is taking several preventive measures
so that as few birds as possible are present and nest on the airport grounds.
Thanks to the detailed information provided by this observation, alternative or
additional preventive measures can be taken. |
|
24/08/2016
NHV operating in Danmark
 NHV
has successfully started H175 helicopter operations in Denmark for its customer
Maersk Oil, an international oil and gas company with whom it has a
long-standing relationship.
The contract entails provision of passenger and freight transport services to
Maersk Oil installations in the North Sea from Esbjerg, Denmark. As the global
launching customer of the state-of-the-art H175 model, NHV now has a fleet of
eight aircraft of this type. NHV Photo NHV will provide a dedicated crew,
technicians and two Airbus H175 and H155 helicopters for the Maersk operations.
|
19/08/2016
Brussels Airlines to fly to India
Brussels
Airlines has announced that they will start scheduled services to Mumbai, India
in 2017. This one year after Jet Airways decided to leave Brussels airport.
|
|
19/08/2016
Eurowings will fly Brussels to Salzburg service
 German
carrier Eurowings will start a new Brussels to Salzburg service next year.
Eurowings is expanding its activities in Austria and Brussels is only one of six
destinations that will be served from Salzburg. They offer 4 flights per week
and these will be flown by Airbus A.320. Eurowings is part of the Lufthansa
Group. |
|
17/08/2016
‘camera-shield’ will protect Brussels airport
A network of security-camera’s
will protect Brussels airport in the very near future. Via this network security
services will be able to monitor all traffic around the airport. The system will
recognize suspicious vehicles and persons. This network will replace the police
barriers that were implemented after the terrorist attacks of 22 March 2016.
Police force will still be present and will do unannounced spot-checks on and
around the airport. The system will, of course, also reduce the number of
personnel that the police forces and the military use on a daily basis at the
airport. |
14/08/2016
Air Britain visit to Antwerp Airport
 Twenty of our colleagus of Air Britain made a guided tour of Antwerp
Airport, while on their way to the Schaffen Fly In. We gave them a warm welcome,
and with the help of the airport security and firebrigade they got a three hour
tour of the airport both on north and south side. The tour was concluded with a
visit of the Stampe en Vertongen Museum.
 |
|
01/08/2016
Brussels Airport introduces a
‘kids lane’
Traveling
with little children causes extra stress. Certainly when facing long queues at
an airport. Brussels Airport will introduce a ‘kids lane’. This is a special
security check for parents travelling with little children. Children younger
than 12 years will be guided, together with their parents to a special security
gate.
The system was tested some
weeks ago and will be formally introduced early November. |
18/07/2016
1st Commercial flight to St.-Helena
 On
July 13th, 2016 the first commercial flight with three passengers aboard arrived
at the remote island of St. Helena. (The island where Napoleon died in May 1821)
In 2011 the British government decided to construct an airport on the island.
This first commercial flight was organised by the Antwerp based The Aviation
Factory. |
|
29/06/2016
Freddy Van Gaever stops plan to start a new (Flemish)
regional airline
At a press-conference
today, Freddy Van Gaever announced that he stops his efforts to start a new
regional airline in the wake of the V.L.M. disaster. Van Gaever explained that
he had all necessary qualified people and investors ready to take action. His
initial plan was to restart a scheduled service from Antwerpen to Hamburg (3
flights per day) and a single rotation to Southampton starting on July 11th
. The new airline, called ‘VG’, would be founded in partnership with Antwerpen-based
broker The Aviation Factory. ‘VG’ intended to hire at least 50 staff to start
its activities. There is also a deal with the VLM trustees to buy two former
V.L.M. Fokker 50 aircraft. Everything went well until a meeting with the Belgian
C.A.A. yesterday. According to Van Gaever the Belgian C.A.A. management has no
intentions to support the start of a new Belgian regional airline !!
 |
26/06/2016
ATR-42 for the Antwerp-London Service
 After
the VLM debacle on June 22nd, CityJet has been flying the Antwerp-London service
with their own Avro RJ85. As from today, a Danish Air Transport (DAT what a pun)
will take over on their behalf with an ATR-42.
Strange in this story is that some flights will go to London-Southend wil others
go to London City airport. |
22/06/2016
More passengers for Brussels Airlines
The
number of passengers on Brussels Airlines flights rose with 4,2% compared to May
2015. A total of 697941 passengers flew with the airline. On the North Atlantic
route there was an increase of 25,4% mainly due to the new Brussels-Toronto
service. |
12/06/2016
Two JMB aircraft VL.3’s plan flight to EAA Airventure at Oshkosh
 Three
Belgian pilots announced their plan to fly to Oshkosh in northern Wisconsin in
two JM Aircraft VL.3 ultra light aircraft. They will make this trip next month
and plan to fly from Belgium to their destination in 40 flying hours with only
five stops. The VL3 is a high performance side-by-side ultra light with a
cruising speed of 270 km/h. It is produced in the Czech Republic by the Belgian
company JMB Aircraft based at Amougies airport.More info about this event on
http://vl3-challenge.eu/en/the-team/ |
02/06/2016
TNT Airways (Belgium) to become ASL Airlines Belgium
 Irish
based ASL Airlines Group has acquired the
airline operations of TNT Express N.V. comprised of TNT Airways (Belgium)
and Pan Air Líneas Aéreas (Spain). The two airlines are to be renamed ASL
Airlines Belgium and ASL Airlines Spain respectively.
TNT Airways and Pan Air Líneas Aéreas have become part of ASL Aviation Group,
bringing the number of airlines in the Irish based aviation group to nine.
A staff of 580 people from the two airlines have transferred to ASL as a part of
the acquisition and the total number of global staff in the ASL group is now
2,500 from 51 nationalities.
The employees’ current terms and conditions of employment will be respected and
it is intended that the TNT Airways facilities in Ličge, Belgium and Madrid,
Spain will be maintained as the corporate offices of ASL Airlines Belgium and
ASL Airlines Spain. TNT Express’ Ličge hub (Eurohub) is not part of the airlines
sale. |
25/05/2016
Juridicial protection for VLM Airlines
This
afternoon the Antwerp Commercial Court has approved the Judicial Reorganisation
that VLM Airlines NV voluntarily applied for on the 13th
of May 2016.
VLM Airlines NV will now benefit from creditor protection
for the coming 6 months. The WCO legislative framework will give the breathing
space during the coming 6 months to restructure and refinance the business as
planned. The management will be focussing now on the refinancing of the
business, preferably through a sale and lease back and continuing to scrutinize
our cost base whilst maximizing our revenue streams. |
24/05/2016
FlyingGroup and Lelystad
Antwerp
based FlyingGroup will build a its own new maintenance hanger at Lelystad
Airport. The letter of intend will be signed next Wednesday at EBACE. Although
the group has aircraft bases at Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the current choice is
in anticipation of converting Lelystad to a full flegded airport. |
14/05/2016
Second weekly flight Antwerp-Nador
 JetairFly
has announced that starting June 1st, they will fly to Nador on Wednesdays. The
present Saturday flight is highly successful and the company wants to make
travelling from Antwerp to Morocoo more fleible for the passengers. |
|
13/05/2016
NHV to operate in Africa
Belgian based operator NHV have recently taken two Airbus H175 helicopters out
to Western Africa, and will be operating them from Ghana. They will be based at
Takoradi under contract to Tullow Oil, which has had interests in two
exploration licences offshore Ghana since 2006. NHV now has two H175s based at
Aberdeen in the UK, two at Den Helder in Netherlands and this pair in Ghana. |
01/05/2016
Jetairfly 787-800 having technical problem
A
Jetairfly Boeing 787-800, registration OO-JDL performing flight TB-705 from
Brussels (Belgium) to Cancun (Mexico), was climbing out of Brussels' runway 07R
when the crew requested to stop the climb at FL070 advising of a technical
problem with the gear. The aircraft continued in the general direction of the
departure route, the crew subsequently decided to return to Brussels, climbed
the aircraft to FL150 for a fuel dump over the North Sea and landed safely on
Brussels' runway 07L about 90 minutes after departure. Following landing the
crew requested emergency services to inspect the gear and specifically asked
whether there was any debris, fire fighters reported seeing nothing unusual.
ter. |
|
29/04/2016
Brussels Airport partially reopens the departure hall on 1 May
The
departure hall at Brussels Airport will be partially open on 1 May. It took less
than 40 days for the Brussels Airport staff who worked relentlessly, to restore
a large part of the departure hall for its passengers. Following an opening
ceremony, the passengers of three flights departing on Sunday afternoon will be
able to check in via the departure hall. As of Monday, the check-in procedure
for all flights will be divided between the departure hall and the temporary
structure. |
|
28/04/2016
New flight schedules at Brussels Airport
From
Monday 2 May a new flight schedule will take effect at Brussels Airport. The
number of passengers per flight is rising faster than expected, so a new flight
schedule has been drawn up for all passengers to leave in complete safety and
comfort.
According to the alternative flight schedule, the number of departing flights is
limited to 22 flights per hour, i.e. fewer flights than during peak hours since
the reopening at the beginning of April.
The work for a partial reopening of the departure lounge is entering its final
phase. However, a date for the reopening cannot be confirmed yet. |
|
26/04/2016
Belgian drones producer AltiGator receives authorization
The Belgian company AltiGator, a producer of drones recently received an
authorization from the DGLV (directoraat Generaal Luchtvaart). As a result,
their drones can operate on a legal basis in Belgium. (if the pilot is also
certified !!)
AltiGator already received an
authorization from the French C.A.A. some time ago and is one of the leading
companies in this market. The ILVO (Instituut voor Landbouw- en
Visserijonderzoek is one of the users of a drone constructed by AltiGator. |
|
21/04/2016
First orders for the Sonaca/Aviation Factory Sling
During the Aero 2015 at
Friedrichshafen Sonaca announced the first orders for the Aircraft Factory
Sling. This South African built aircraft is promoted and offered for sale by
Sonaca since last year. They received orders for 14 aircraft sold in Germany,
France the UK… and Belgium !!
 |
|
14/04/2016
VLM asks advice to customers regarding new routes
Following
the marketing ‘outside-in’ idea VLM organized an online survey. They asked for
suggestions regarding possible new routes. This survey was such a great success
that is was of-line after only one day.
VLM itself suggested new routes
to Munchen, Lyon and Dublin. |
03/04/2016 Brussels Airport partially reopened
The
first three flights of Brussels Airlines out of Brussels Airport flew today.
Ever since the terrorist attacks at Brussels on March 22, the airport had a
complete shut down. Over the next days, the number of flights will slowly be
expanded, but it is more than clear that it will take weeks before Brussels
Airport is back to its normal capacity.
In the meantime, the airports of Antwerp, Ličge and Ostend will continue to do
(more than) their share of the work.
Antwerp airport has known its busiest week in its history. One can say that
thanks to the spirit of the airport's personnel and of the people that came over
from the different Brussels companies (Brussels Airlines, Aviapartner, ...) all
has been smoothly organised and passengers have been accomodated as best as
could be under the circumstances. This also goes for the other regional
airports. |
24/02/2016
Chalair to open toutes from Antwerp Airport
 The
French company Chalair announced today that they will start operating two
routes from Antwerp airport : Geneva en Caen. The latter will be flown three
times weekly. More details to follow at a press conference on March 2nd. |
|
08/02/2016
Brussels Airport to be Spotter Friendly
Brussels Airport is trying to become "Spotter" minded and wants to hear
from you.
This is THE oppotunity to spill your ideas, remarks, etc.. about spotting at
Brussels Airport.
Follow the link underneath:
|
29/01/2016
Second Fokker 50 for Vision Air
Vision
Air is to base a second Fokker 50 at Antwerp Airport. OO-VLF will be painted in
Vision Air colours during the next weeks. Along with OO-VLP both aircraft will
be based at Antwerp Airport. Crew and maintenance will be delivered by VLM. |
|
18/01/2016
Liege airport in olympic shape
 2015
has been an exceptional year in goods transport by air for Liege Airport. 650
000 tonnes transited through our airport, i.e. an increase of 10%. Passenger
activity has remained stable. Investment to the tune of € 16 million will
underpin development in 2016. |
14/01/2016
Bigger WIZZ Air planes
WIZZ
Air has announced that it will use teh Airbus A321ceo on its daily
Charleroi-Budapest service. On Friday and Sunday the service will be flown twice
daily. |
12/01/2016
All-time record for Brussels Airlines
Brussels
Airlines has seen its biggets rise in passenger numbers ever in 2015. 5,5 miljon
passengers used the airline last year which is a growth of 12,1% compared to
2014 and 30% as to 2013. This growth is far better than the Euroepan average. |
03/01/2016
Fantastic year for Antwerp Airport
The
year 2015 was a fantastic year for Antwerp International Airport. The additional
destinations offered bij VLM and the coming of Jetair saw the passengernumbers
booming for the first time in ages. In total 221.155 passengers passed through
Antwerp Airport (compared to 121.357 in 2014). |
|
|
15/07/2017
Spotters welcome at Brussels Airport
Permission
has been granted to built spotters areas around Brussels Airport. Work will
commence in the autumn of 2017 and should be ready at the end of the year or
early 2018. |
|
05/07/2017
Jacques ‘Red’ Dewaelheyns passed away
 Last Monday, 3 July 2017, kolonel BEM e.r. Jacques ‘Red’ Dewaelheyns passed
away after a long illness. He was the first leader of the Red Devils, the
Belgian Air Force aerobatic team. Initially the team flew on Hawker Hunter.
After six years they changed to the Fouga Magister (1965 till 1977). Afterwards
‘Red’ Dewaelheyns was involved in several civil aviation projects including the
Piper-dealership via NEAS in de late seventies – early eighties. |
|
04/07/2017
Brussels Airport invests heavily in new technology for hold baggage screening
Brussels
Airport has launched the first phase of works to implement new technology for
hold baggage screening. By the 1st of September 2022,
every airport in the European Union must screen hold baggage according to
Baggage Screening Standard 3. That is why Brussels Airport is investing 100
million Euros in the purchase of new screening devices and the construction of a
new hall and infrastructure. |
|
20/06/2017
Sonaca 200 prototype makes first flight
On Monday 19.06.17 the prototype of the Sonaca 200 – OO-NEW – made its first
flight from Charleroi Airport. This single engine two-seat aircraft is assembled
by Sonaca. The flight test campaign will take four months. It starts in Belgium
but will be pursued at Avignon in southern France. This must result in obtaining
the EASA certification for this new Belgian designed aircraft.
 |
|
12/06/2017
Hainan Airlines starts Brussels to Shanghai service
Hainan
Airlines will start a Brussels to Shanghai service from 25 Oktober 2017. They
will operate this service three times per week (Monday, Wedsnesday and Friday)
using Boeing 878-9 aircraft.
Shanghai will be the second destination that can be reached from Brussels.
Hainan Airlines flies from Beijing to Brussels since 2006. |
12/05/2017
Cargo airlines starting to leave Brussels
Yangtze
River Express left Brussels in february, Air Cargo Global has announced that it
is stopping all their activities at Brussels due to the noise restrictions and
applied fines.
Magma Aviation has also indicated the same intentions if the sitaution is not
clarrified in the coming weeks. |
18/02/2017
August Van Laer deceased
 We
just received the news that our member August Van Laer has died unexpectedly on
Thursday 16/02/2017 at the age of 69.
We offer his family and friends our condolences. Blue skies mate. |
22/01/2017
Buurtkrant 2e editie
Het tweede nummer van de Antwerpse "Luchthavenbuurt Krant" is van de persen
gerold en wordt momenteel door onze vrijwillegers verdeeld in de buurt
rodom de luchthaven. Diegenen die buiten de verdeling vallen kunnen hier hun
exemplaar downloaden.
|
|
07/01/2017
Decrease in passengers, increase in freight
Brussels
Airport handled 21.8 million passengers in 2016, down 7 % on record year 2015.
The decrease is completely due to the attacks on the airport on 22 March; the
airport was closed for 12 days and then only gradually resumed its operations.
Cargo traffic at Brussels Airport rose by 1.1% compared to 2015, despite the
impact of the attacks.
|
|
02/1/2017
Free drop-off zone
Since
mid-December, Brussels Airport has opened a new, free drop-off zone. The zone is
exclusively intended for quickly dropping off passengers leaving on a trip.
Parking is not possible and drivers may not leave their vehicles. People wanting
to accompany passengers to the departure hall or who come to pick up passengers,
can make use of P1, P2 and P3, where, with the Brussels Airport Pcard+, the
first half hour is free-of-charge.
The drop-off zone is on the same level as the bus station and in walking
distance of the terminal. To get there drivers should simply follow the
"Drop-off" signage. For the comfort of the passengers, a covered walkway leads
from the drop-off zone to the terminal.
|
|
20/12/2016
Ownership change for former VLM Fokker 50’s
Earlier
this week the former VLM Fokker 50 aircraft that are parked at Antwerp Airport
for over six months where officially transferred to a new owner.
SHS Antwerp Aviation nv became the new owner of seven aircraft. Also OO-VLO, an
airframe stored at the airport, minus engines and many other parts, is included
in the deal.
According to the latest
rumors the new company intends to start their operations mid January 2017. |
13/12/2016
CityJet will open a Brussels base
 CityJet
plans to open a base at Brussels Airport. They intend to start a service to
London/City airport using the Sukhoi Superjet. The company is already flying
this Russian built airline that will replace the Avro RJ.85’s. We heard that
CityJet is, at this moment, recruiting crews who will be based at Brussels
Airport.
The company also still operates the London/City to Antwerpen service using a
leasing Danish ATR 42
|
|
10/10/2016
easyJet to stop two flights from Brussels
 Brussels
airport has announced that easyJet is to stop its flights between Brussels and
Milan Malpensa and Berlin after March 25th, 2017 |
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08/10/2016
Vueling Airlines shuts down Brussels base
 Spanish
low-cost carrier Vueling decided to close its base at Brussels Airport. Due to
operational problems the company decided to reduce the number of flightsand
bases. Also the scheduled flights from Brussel to Porto and to Lissabon will
disappear from the Brussels Airport timetable. |
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30/09/2016
ASL and JetNetherlands take delivery of new Cessna Citation Sovereign+ and XLS+
Yet another important milestone
in the development of the group as the fleet continues to grow with new aircraft
being delivered.
 The Cessna Citation XLS+ landed at its new home base in Antwerp, Belgium. The
aircraft joins another Cessna Citation XLS+ and a Cessna Citation Excel. The
aircraft, manufactured in 2015 will be operated on behalf of its owner and will
be offered for commercial charter operations very soon. The company expects to
have the aircraft added on the AOC (Air Operator Certificate) of ASL within a
few days.
At the same time, JetNetherlands management is taking delivery of a factory new
Cessna Citation Sovereign+ in Wichita, USA. |
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25/08/2016
Enlarged departures/arrivals hall at Antwerp airport
On
August 28th, the long awaited construction of the extention of the
departures/arrivals lounge at Antwerp airport will commence. Not a day too
early. |
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23/08/2016
Air Belgium to take to the skies
A new Belgian airline is in the making and want to take to the skies in 2017
as Air Belgium. Main destination will be India and China. Niky Terzakis (ex TNT
Ličge) is the man behind the project. |
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16/08/2016
Belgian pilot wins medal at an aerobatic competition
For the first time ever a Belgian pilot won a medal during an aerobatic
competition.
Wim Soens, flying the Extra EA.330 - OO-VVV, won a bronze medal during the World
Advanced Aerobatic Championship at Radom in Poland.
Soens scored 7.655,69 points. The French winner had 7671,40 points.
Wim Soens is a professional pilot and flight instructor and has 5.500
flighthours in his logbook.
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02/08/2016
Closer co-operation between Brussels /Airlines and BMI
Regional
BMI
Regional intensified their code-share agreement with Brussels Airlines.
Passengers can now book up to seven Brussels Airlines services via the BMI
Regional website.
Both companies have an agreement for flights between Brussels and East Midlands
and Newcastle since 2014. Now flights from Brussels to London/Heathrow,
Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Belfast and Nantes (Fr) were added.
BMI Regional operates several Brussels Airlines flight with their Embraer
Emb.145’s including the services to Nurenberg and Nantes. |
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28/06/2016
New Chalair route
Starting
Monday July 4th, Chalair will fly the Antwerp Hamburg service with Beech 1900 on
weekdays.
As from September 1st, both the Antwerp-Hamburg and the Antwerp-Geneva service
will be flown twice daily.
Tickets can be booked via
www.chalair.eu or through travel agencies,
on-line sales and Air France |
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22/06/2016
VLM Airlines bankcrupt
At
noon today VLM Airlines announced its bankcruptcy. All flights have been
suspended and the 160 employees have been informed of the situation.
A sad day for aviation in Antwerp and Belgium.
Our toughts are now with the employees.
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21/06/2016
Flying Group inaugurates hangar at Brussels Airport
Today,
Antwerp based bizjet operator Flying Group inaugurated a 4.000 m2 large hangar
at Brussels Airport. Next to this hangar the company has a 3.000 m2 large apron
where visiting bizjets will be parked. This hangar is a new step in a plan that
should make Flying Group an important player in bizjet operations and handling
at Brussels Airport.
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26/05/2016
Russian approval for NHV
 NHV
and its Russian commercialization partner HELIATICA successfully obtained
approval from the Russian Federal Aviation Agency (RFAA) for NHV’s maintenance
facility in Ostend. This opens the door to the Russian market for NHV who
already secured a first maintenance project for a Russian executive customer –
6-year inspection on Airbus Helicopters H155.
NHV became the first foreign maintenance provider ever to pass through the
validation process under the new Russian regulation, Federal Aviation Rules 285
(FAP-285) which entered into force at the end of 2015. The new rules were
introduced by RFAA in order to harmonize Russian regulation with EASA and FAA
rules and NHV was the first maintenance provider to successfully get through the
transition period from previous standards FAP-145 to the new FAP-285 rules.
Earlier in 2015 HELIATICA was appointed as NHV’s local partner to market and
sell NHV’s maintenance and training services in Russia. “HELIATICA has applied
for validation of NHV’s training center”, – comments Tatyana DUSHENKOVA, the
general director of HELIATICA. – “We strongly believe in our partnership with
NHV whose experience in operations, maintenance and training under OGP standards
for international oil and gas customers, will be a big help for existing VIP
customers of Airbus Helicopters H155 and H175 and AgustaWestland AW139 and for
emerging Russian off-shore O&G market”.
The first Russian customer has already chosen NHV to perform a 6-year inspection
for his Airbus Helicopters H155 (EC155 B1). The maintenance project is expected
to be finished in June 2016. |
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25/05/2016
'The Suite' at N'Djili
Brussels
Arline has opened its first airport lounge outside Belgium. The Congolese first
minister opened the lounge 'The Suite' at N'Djili airport. Passengers can now
enjoy the unique comfort before their flight to Brussels. |
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24/05/2016
New hangar at Brussels Airport
FlyingGroup
announced at EBACE that they are opening a new hangar at Brussels Airport. The
new service hangar covers 4000m˛ with an additional apron of 3000m˛. |
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21/05/20126
VLM F50 at Waterford on May 20th 2016, nose gear steering failure
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A
VLM Fokker 50, registration OO-VLI performing flight W2-6142 from London
Luton,EN (UK) to Waterford (Ireland) with 14 passengers and 4 crew, was
on final approach to Waterford's runway 03 when the crew went around and
decided to divert to Dublin. On approach to Dublin the crew advised they
had a problem with the nose gear steering, needed a towbar for the F50
and a tug to vacate the runway as quickly as possible. The aircraft was
vectored for an approach to Dublin's runway 28 and stopped on the
runway, while the airport switched to runway 16. The Fokker 50 was
subsequently towed off the runway.
By
Simon Hradecky |
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13/05/2016
VLM Airlines protected against debtors
VLM
Airlines has today filed for juridicial reorganisation. Therefor the company is
now protected for six months against creditors and should give the company enough
time to fully implement the reorgansiation which started in January of this year
and pay-off the historical debts the company has. |
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06/05/2016
Aero Service stopped operations
Aero Service is a Dutch maintenance organisation that took over the general
aviation maintenance activities from Abelag Aviation about two years ago.
Recently the company stopped all operations at Antwerp Airport. The company
offered maintenance services for single and twin engined piston-aircraft. It
seems the company ran into financial difficulties resulting in the closure of
the Antwerp facility. |
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29/04/2016
Air Canada downgrades aircraft on the Brussels service
 Air
Canada is a new name in the long list of foreign carriers that are reducing the
number of flights into Brussels or flying with smaller aircraft. The company
announced that, till 1st June 2016, the Airbus A.330-300 normally
used will be replaced by the smaller Boeing 767-300. The result will be a
reduction of about 20% of seats available. |
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28/04/2016
Ryanair to start Charleroi-Glasgow service
 Rayanair
has announced that they will start operting a twice-weekly Charleroi-Glasgow
service as from October 30th, 2016. Tickets are available from 19,99 eur. |
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28/04/2016
Lufthansa postpones Brussels Airlines integration
The
full integration of Brussels Airlines into the Lufhansa Group has been
postponed. The Germans decided to take the decision to buy the remaining 45% of
the Brussels Airlines stock only in September of this year. The official reason
for this decision is the recent terrorist attack at Brussels Airport that
totally disrupted the operations of Brussels Airlines.
But… there are still serious discussions regarding the role of Brussels Airlines
in the Lufthansa Group. Brussels Airlines should merge with low-cost carrier
Germanwings. On the other hand Brussels Airlines became a strong name, certainly
for the African flights and the company wants to preserve their identity. There
also seems to be no clear view on the future of Brussels Airlines within the
Lufthansa Group regarding new services and aircraft. |
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27/04/2016
Very successful Aero 2016 for JMB Aircraft
Amougies based ULM dealer JMB Aircraft had a very successful Aero 2016 at
Friedrichshafen (Germany) earlier this month.
The company sold 10 JMB aircraft VL.3 aircraft (the former Aveko VL.3). The
company now has a backlog for 43 aircraft. They decided to increase the
production rate from 4 to 5 aircraft per month in order to reduce the delivery
time. Delivery time for new orders is now February 2017 ! |
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22/04/2016
KLM campaign ‘not correct’ according
to PM Charles Michel
 Belgian
Prime Minister Charles Michel gave a reaction to the KLM commercial campaign
that started on the Flemish radio-stations earlier this week. KLM not only
promotes flying from Amsterdam/Schiphol but also adds a Thalys trainticket from
Brussel or Antwerpen in their ticket-price.
Charles Michel commented that KLM has the right to start a commercial campaign
in Belgium but added that this action is ‘not correct’ ! |
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16/04/2016
Brussels Airport will reopen the old trainstation
Brussels
Airport is considering to reopen the former (old) train station. After the 22
March terrorist attack it remains impossible to reach the airport by train. The
new train station gives direct access to the destroyed departure hall. And this
hall is (of course) closed for renovation works.
When the old station reopens passengers will be able the reach the airport by
train and will arrive outside the airport building where they have to queue for
the additional security checks. |
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15/04/2016
Embraer 545 – OO-NEY used for testflights
Belgian registered Embraer 545 Legacy 450 -OO-NEY
– was leased back by the constructor for flight into La Mole/Cote d’Azur airport
recently. This airport has a runway of 1.180 meters only and is surrounded by
mountains. After these flights Embraer obtained permission to fly the Emb.545
Legacy 450 into this very popular airport. This aircraft type is now the largest
bizjet that is allowed to operate from La Mole. |
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04/03/2016
Renovation works on runway
01/19
Brussels
Airport is planning major renovation works on runway 01/19 from 26 July to 25
September 2016. To minimise their duration and their impact on neighbouring
residents and airport activities, the renovation works will be carried out in
stages, including at night. During the works, runway use will deviate from the
preferential runway system (PRS). |
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09/02/2016
Strong passenger growth - Freight down
Brussels
Airport received almost 1.5 million passengers in January, which is a
significant increase of 7.5% compared with January last year. On the other hand,
the number of flight movements rose by less than 1%, which means that the
passenger load factor was much higher than in January last year. Freight volume
declined by 2.4% compared with January last year. The decrease can be attributed
to the departure of Ethiopian Cargo, which did not obtain the necessary traffic
rights for Belgium. |
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29/01/2016
New shop at Antwerp Airport
As planned, the new Antwerpflyshop opened its doors today in the check-in hall
at Antwerp Airport. The shop sells coffee, Antwerp brewed beers (De Koninck,
Vedett, Duvel) and other specialities typical for Antwerp.
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12/01/2016
New passenger record for Brussels Airport
Brussels
Airport can look back on a year of strong growth. In 2015, the number of
passengers grew by 7% on last year, with Brussels Airport receiving almost 23.5
million passengers. Freight transport through Brussels Airport in 2015 saw
vigorous growth of nearly 8% compared with 2014, especially the full freighter
segment and the express services. |
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