Aviation Society of Antwerp

August 3^rd
More lost luggage at Brussels Airport
During 2007 76.264 persons lost their luggage while travelling via Brussels Airport. During 2004 there were only 51.667 claims. 92 % of this luggage is ‘reunited’ with the owner within five days. 2,3% of the lost luggage is never found again. At Brussels Airport Flightcare and Aviapartner are responsible for luggage-handling.
Runway 25L closed at Brussels Airport
Starting on 04 August, runway 25R will be closed for three weeks due to maintenance work, including resurfacing. This is good news for the enthusiasts as the arriving traffic will use one runway. This period will be the ideal opportunity to see (and photograph) the arriving cargo-aircraft and bizjets that normally always use this runway.

July 24^th

Brussels Airlines not to fly on New Year

Brussels Airlines announced todat that they will not fly on New Year's Eve nor on New Year itself. This way the company will be able to realize a considerable cut in operating costs. Probably other carriers will follow this example from which also the environment will profit.

Nevertheless there will be 4 Brussels Airlines arrivals on New Year's Day.

July 17^th
Ryanair to put certain flights on hold
Ryanair today announced that it will cancel a number of scheduled flights during winter months, due to the high price of fuel and airport taxes. For Brussels South Charleroi this means the cancellation of the line to Valencia during November and December.

July 12^th

Sabotage at Antwerp Aiport

Antwerp Airport has become victim of sabotaging activities when on Thursday last, power cables of the approach lighting on runway 29 (Borsbeek side) were cut through, thus creating a security risk for pilots and passengers.

Besides this the council of Borsbeek again refuses to cut down and maintain the trees on Fort III, although the airport pays them 30.000eur to do so.

On the other hand the mayor of Borsbeek talked the Flemish Minister of Transport - with false arguments - into the banning of all training activities on Sundays. The minister obliged in order to keep other operations possible.

All this fits in the never ending actions orchestrated by a handful of activists who agitate against the airport and try to compromise its operations.

July 9^th
Financial support for aviation sector
The Belgian aviation industry receives financial support from the federal government. This must help them to secure subcontract orders for the new Airbus A.350. Flemish companies will receive a total of 95,4 million Euros or 54% of the total budget. (source : De Tijd)
Traffic figures May 2008
Belgocontrol managed a total of 107.186 movements (+ 6.84%) during May 2008. Brussels Airport handled 23.055 movements during this period or 2,09% less than during May 2007. Antwerp Airport counted 8.072 flights (2.397 IFR and 5.675 VFR) and increase of 22,45% compared with the same period in 2007. Charleroi/Brussels South handled 9.844 flights (3.753 IFR and 6.091 VFR). This number is even 30,89% higher than last year. Bierset received 5.457 movements (2.949 IFR and 2.508 VFR) or 29,13% more than in May 2007. And Ostend airport handled 10,34% more flights than previous year or 8.225 flights (1.422 IFR and 6.803 VFR) (source : Belgocontrol)
Martinair considers flights from Brussels Airport
Martinair is studying the possibility to start operations at Brussels Airport. This move will allow them to escape the new ‘flight tax’ introduced in Holland earlier this year. At this moment is not clear if en when this operations will start.

July 7^th
22% more passengers for Brussels South
Charleroi/Brussels south Airport handled 1,38 million passengers during the first six months of this year. That is an increase of 22%. During June 2008 the growth rate was even 31%, with 246.982 passengers travelling through this airport. The airport management hopes to count 2,8 million passengers during 2008.

July 3^rd
6,3% passengers rise during first 6 months
During the first six months of 2008 some 93.408 passengers (+6,3%) used Antwerp International Airport. The number of flights also rose with 7,8% to a total of 27.866. Passengers on scheduled flights were 4000 units down, mainly due to the cancelling of a number of flights to London City Airport The European business man on the other hand seems to have found Antwerp Airport. Flights here went up with 12,3% (total of 3.741) with passengers rising to 6.157 (+6,9%) (source: Antwerp Airport/ Kathleen Pittevils)
The Westland Lysander OO-SOT will soon fly
Restoration work on the Westland Lysander of the Sabena Old Timers is nearing its end. The wings and fuselage will be put together in July. This operation will be followed by engine tests in order to receive a certificate of restricted flight. The painting will also be completed to represent a Lysander of Squadron 161 flown by the godfathers of Lysander MA-D, (Group Captain Hugh Verity DFC, Captain Sir Brian Hooper DFC and pilot of the MA-D, Lt. Col. Lewis Hodges DFC) and according to the testimony of Jean Depraetere "Georges" during the operation "Scenery" (November 16^th and 17^th, 1943). All being well, the Lysander could accomplish its first trial flight during September of this year under a reserve of approval of the BCAA (Administration of Belgian aeronautics). The Oldtimers are also restoring a second Lysander for the Royal Army Museum in Brussels. This aircraft will be painted in the yellow and black colours of a target tug. Any information can be obtained at Sabena Old Timers: or (source: Yves Duwelz)
New management structure for Kortrijk and Ostend Airport
Today the Flemish Parliament accepted a proposal issued by Minister Hilde Crevits regarding the management of both airports. A group of private investors will be responsible for the management, while the government will remain part of another group (airport development company) that will own the airport infrastructure. The government will also pay the costs in order to maintain the security-level up to international standards. The plan is to implement this new management structure early 2008. (source : Het Laatste Nieuws)
Royal Family major user of Air Force bizjets
According to details given by Defence Minister Pieter De Crem as a reaction on a request for information in Parlaiment, the Belgian Royal Family is a major user of the Belgian Air Force bizjet fleet. Between 2004 and 2007 they flew 782 hours on the Embraer and Falcon aircraft. King Albert II is the major user with 122 flights.

July 1^st

Reduced flying for Cargo B Airlines

Cargo B Airlines cancelled the planned delivery of a third Boeing 747 because this aircraft was not in the correct technical condition.

As one of the other aircraft need a major overhaul, the company will continue flying with one aircraft for the next two months.

The company prefers to continue the service to South America (Sao Paulo and Quito) which is flown three times a week. The service to South-Africa will start again early September. The company also plans flights to Mexico and the U.S.A. (Atlanta)
Cargo B Airlines hopes to find another additional aircraft that can join the fleet in October 2008. Due to the rising fuel-prices, they prefer a more fuel-efficient Boeing 747 series 400 aircraft.

June 27^th
El Al Cargo moves European hub to Liège Airport
After 56 years, Israeli company El Al Cargo is leaving Amsterdam/Schiphol for Liège Airport, where the company's night flights have already been moved to. Decision was made because of the rising landing taxes at Schiphol. El Al's Boeing 747-200 are cat.3 aircraft and have to pay 140 percent of basic landing fee.
Agusta A.109 crashes in the Ardennes
An Agusta A.109 of the helicopter wing at Liège/Bierset crashed today at 11.13 am near Halleux a village near Roche-en-Ardenne, whil on mission. Pilot and co-pilot have severe injuries, while the passengers were only slightly wounded.
BAFA donated aircraft to VLOC
Ben Air Flight Academy (BAFA), the Antwerp based Flight Training Organisation (FTO), donated Piper PA 28-161 Warrior OO-YAC to the Vlaams Luchtvaart Opleidingscentrum (VLOC) situated at Ostend Airport. The 25 year old aircraft was one of the ‘founding members’ of the BAFA-training fleet. At this moment the company operates more up-to-date PA 28-161 Warrior III’s fitted with ‘glass cockpits’. This aircraft will be used as an instructional airframe within the VLOC. Last week, on 20.06.09, the aircraft was moved into the VLOC-facilities at Ostend.

June 25^th
Are the Chinese coming?
Today we had the first ever Chinese registered aircraft visiting Antwerp Airport. Wishing that this might be the first of many, is probably a bit farfetched, but it is nevertheless a nice asset to our ever growing number of exotic registrations...
Blue Line renews contract with Sabena Technics
Europe’s leading VIP charter airline, has signed a 4 year component services full support contract with Sabena Technics. At present, Blue Line’s fleet comprises two MD83VIP’s, two Fokker 100’s, and two classic MD83’s. The pool access is operated out of Sabena Technics’ logistics platform present at Charles de Gaulle, which is also Blue Line’s main base. Sabena technics is honoured to be Blue Line’s MRO partner since the airline was founded in 2001 and to have been able to contribute to its development and success. The renewal of this contract reaffirms Sabena Technics’ expertise in these aircraft types as well as its adaptability to offer customer proximity and reliability. Under this agreement Sabena Technics will perform component repair & overhaul services for the company’s F100 and MD83 fleets. The contract also includes pool access services.

June 24^th
New destinations from Liège Airport
Liège airport today announced two new destinations: Albanian carrier Belle Air will fly to Pristina and Tirana as from June 24th. Flights will be operated on Tuesday and Friday

June 19^th
New codeshare for Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines annouced a codeshare with Ethiopian Airlines and will be selling tickets for Ethiopian Airlines flights to Addis Abeba. Aircraft used : B767-300 on a daily basis. Flights leave in the evening at both ends.

June 13^th
Airbus A.380 spotted in Port of Antwerp?

ASA member Hugo De Backer spotted this ship in the Port of Antwerp on June 12th. We haven't got a clue as to what this boat was doing in Antwerp. So if anyone could shed some light on this, it would be much appreciated. Some suggestions: "Came to pick up the pieces of the Kalitta Air Jumbo..." or "Will be used as part the new "Lange Wapper"-bridge"
Final call for Air DC
The new managing directors Michel Meyfroidt and Bernard Gustin, of Brussels Airlines announced that they want to start up Air DC by the summer (July?). The management is in place, the pilots have been trained and two aircraft are on stand by. The development of the African network is crucial for the company and working with a local carrier is vital.
Expensive kerosene
Brussels Airlines announced that it had a very difficult first quarter, mainly due to the exorbitant fuel prices. This will result in the annulation of less important connections and a rise of the ticket pricing. They also announced a personnel stop.
The company also announced that it wants to be part of an alliance by the end of the year. Officially two groups are still in the running : Oneworld and Star Alliance. The company seems to prefer Star Alliance as it would release the pressure imposed by Lufthansa, SAS and BMI on Brussels Airport. On the other hand this would mean that BA has to look for another American code share deal, because American is a Oneworld company.

June 12^th
1st Rosenbauer Panther on a Belgian Airport

The management of Antwerp Airport today proudly presented its new fire engines to the press. The Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 FLF 12000/1500/2x250, at a cost of 571.000 EUR, replaces to the 30 year old Faun crash tender and the Magirus powder lorry. The Panther is a 6 wheel drive, fitted with a 12.000 litre water- and a 1.500 litre foam tank. In addition there are also 2 powder tanks with a capacity of 250 kg each. From his driver seat, the driver can handle two foam guns and the powder gun. The new fire engine will be fully operational as of July 1st, when all 22 firemen of the airport will have passed their exams. The second vehicle that was presented today is a fast intervention car which has been fitted with medical material as well as fire fighting equipment.
Aborted take-off at Abidjan
A Brussels Airlines Airbus A.330, almost certainly OO-SFN, had to abort a take-off at Abidjan airport on Wednesday evening 11.06.2008. During the evacuation of the aircraft via the emergency slides, three passengers received minor injuries. Flight SN245 with destination Brussels carried 161 passengers and 10 crew. More details on the incident are not known at this moment.
MK Airlines stops its operations
British cargo airline MK Airlines stopped its operations and went into administration, due to financial problems. The UK registered airline is the main user of Ostend Airport and operator of the cargo-facilities on the eastside of the airport. This loss of traffic is certainly a serious blow for the airport.

June 10^th
New owners for Sabena Flight Academy
Sabena Flight Academy, one of the leading Belgian FTO’s (Flight Training Organisation) was recently sold to the Canadian company CAE, one of the world’s most important flight training organisations. With this acquisition, CAE intends to expand its European operations. The SFA management will remain responsible for the Belgian and U.S. based operations.
Additional Easyjet flights at Brussels Airport
Yesterday, 9 June, lowcost carrier Easyjet started an additional service from Brussels to Milano/Malpensa. The company already operates flights to Geneva, Berlin and Nice. They expect to handle up to 350.000 passengers from Brussels Airport. The route from Brussels to Milano is very popular. There are already daily flight operated by Brussels Airlines and Air One to Malpensa Airport and Alitalia to Milano/Linate.
VLM stops flights from Groningen
The management of Groningen Airport announced today that VLM Airlines will stop the Groningen-Amsterdam-London City service from 1 July 2008. VLM Airlines started operations from Groningen on October 2006. Today, it seems that the number of local passengers is too low to maintain this service.

June 8^th
Repairs of runway 02 will take 8 weeks
After the dismantling of the crippled Kalitta Air Boeing 747, runway 20 at Brussels Airport will remain closed for another 8 weeks. This will allow repairs to the ILS landing system and the runway lights.

June 6^th