The cockpit section of one of DHL's B727 aircraft has been acquired by
the Dakota vzw at Melsbroek where it will be put on display in their museum. It was in use by the VIVIS VLOC at Oostende as an
instructional airframe. The Belgian Air Force operated B727's till they were replaced by A310's in 1998.
The Sarens Group was responsible for the transport from Oostende to Melsbroek. |
|
 Twenty-five
years ago, on the 15th May 1997, NHV Group officially began helicopter
operations from Ostend, Belgium. Co-founders Eric Van Hal and Jef De Kinder
launched the NHV Group and ever since the company has flourished, growing from a
family business to an international group with 500+ employees and a strong
geographic presence in Europe and Western Africa. Thomas Hütsch the CEO of NHV
Group states, “We are very proud to celebrate this organisational milestone.
From humble beginnings, starting with one base in Ostend, we have since made
phenomenal development to achieve our leading position in the helicopter
market.” “Despite the oil & gas crisis, the pandemic, and major regulatory
changes caused by the UK leaving the EU, our employees are the ones that have
helped to shape NHV Group to be the successful company that we are today. We
look forward to the next 25 successful years of safe flight operations.”
|
|
Ilman Reinshagen (40), currently Vice President Ground Operations Hub
Airlines Frankfurt, has been chosen by the Lufthansa Group Executive Board as
the new Brussels Airlines COO. He will join Brussels Airlines as of July 1st
to head the operational departments of the Belgian airline (Flight Operations,
Maintenance & Engineering, Ground Operations). Mr. Reinshagen’s appointment is
pending the approval of the SN Airholding Board of Directors. |
 At
5 different locations you can now watch the movements and make pictures through
the fence.
Some 10 special "spotters holes" have been put in place. These are large enough
to let a telelens pass through.
More info on the locations and other spotters info is available on the airport's
website:
Internationale Luchthaven Oostende-Brugge |
Our
national flag carrier will add two additional aircraft to its fleet: one Airbus
A319 and one A320. This is earlier than foreseen in the REBOOT Plus planning |
|
As
from 15 December 2021 Air Belgium starts a twice weekly service from Brussels
Airport to Punta Cana. From there the aircraft continues to Curaçao. This
service is operated with the second Airbus A.330NEO that the company just
received from constructor Airbus on Wednesday and Saturday. |
 Brussels
South Charleroi Airport, the SOWAER, Eurocontrol, skeyes, SABCA, Ryanair, TUI
fly and Air Corsica have today signed a collaborative agreement designed to
reduce the environmental impact of airport operations, in the presence of Mr
Jean-Luc CRUCKE, Minister in charge of Walloon Airports.
The creation of an environmental policy is a key component of sustainable
development in the aviation industry. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well
as noise, whilst also improving air quality around the airport, are three of the
top priorities for airports today, to which all the partners involved in this
agreement are committed. |
Brussels
Airlines will add a 9th A330 to its fleet to reinforce its African fleet and
will reopen its stations at Conakry and Ouagadougou and add frequencies to its
routes to Freetown, Monrovia, Banjul and Lomé. |
 NHV
Group is pleased to announce that Thomas Hütsch, the current NHV Group Chief
Operating Officer has been promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer
with immediate effect. The outgoing CEO, Steffen Bay has resigned to move to a
new position outside of the helicopter industry. “To become the CEO of NHV Group
is a great honour and I look forward to leading the Group into a new era of
growth with great enthusiasm.” says Hütsch, “The quality of our teams, our
modern fleet of helicopters as well as the international reach of the Group puts
us in the ideal position to grow our reputation as a highly safe, reliable and
flexible helicopter operator of choice.” Thomas Hütsch joined NHV in July 2019
as Chief Operating Officer, coming to NHV with more than 30 years of leadership
experience in several fields of the helicopter industry, including Airbus
Helicopters and at ADAC; the large German automobile club where he managed the
HEMS operations with more than fifty helicopters providing emergency medical
services. |
 With
hangardoors as large as a football field and a roof of almost 14.000m², the
Belgian Air Force has inaugurated its newest hangars at Melsbroek. The building
took less than 20 months and was built by Democo. It will be used to house the
new A400M transport aircraft of the 15th Wing. |
Low-cost
carrier Easyjet announced that it will offer flights from Brussels Airport to
three Italian destinations during the end-of-the-year holiday period. During
only three weeks the company will fly to Naples three times a week and twice a
week to Catania and Palermo.
Since to outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic Easyjet only offers flights to Geneva
and Nice from Brussels airport. |
|
As from 19/12/21 Wizz Air will offer flights from Brussels South airport
to Kiev. And on 01/06/22 the company will add a Brussels South to Lviv service
to the network. Both routes are flown twice per week. Both destinations will be
services with brand new Airbus A.321 aircraft. Wizz Air then offers 19 different
destinations from Brussels South airport. |
|
Earlier
this week a major refurbishment of the Styl Aviation nv workshop started at the
north side of Antwerp Airport. The building will receive new walls and roof as
well as new doors. This will make this workshop not only very eco-friendly, it
will result in a more happy working environment for the company ‘s workforce. |
Starting on 4 December 2021 Wizz Air offers twice weekly services (on
Tuesday and Saturday) from Brussels South airport to Suceava in Romania. As
from 14 December 2021 the company also offers a twice weekly service between
Brussels South and Debrecen (Hungary). This service will also be flown on
Tuesday and Saturday.
Today Wizz Air offers flights to 15 destinations from Brussels South airport. |
 Early
July the former DHL Boeing 727-223F – EC-IDQ (ex OO-DHT) was scrapped. The
aircraft arrived at Oostende on 16 Oktober 2003 and was used by the VLOC as an
instructional airframe.
On 1 July the aircraft was noted with the emergency exits and nose dome missing.
On 10 July 2021 only the front section of the aircraft was still present.
(photo Bob Rongé) |
|
Air
Belgium announced that the service to Mauritius will start on 15.10.21 and will
be flown with the new Airbus A.300neo aircraft. Two of these aircraft will
replace the older Airbus A.340’s that are operated at this moment. |
 As
from the next winter schedule Ryanair will offer a weekly Brussels to Agadir
service? This is part of the new Ryanair hub at Agadir |
|
Today,
29 June 2021, The very famous black and gold painted Boeing Stearman ‘Old Crow’
was dismantled in the R.A.R. bvba workshop at Antwerp airport. The aircraft will
be put in a container for shipment from Antwerp harbour to Savannah, Georgia,
U.S.A. The owner and storyteller Hans Nordsiek decided to move to the U.S.A. and
he takes his beloved aircraft with him. This is definitely a loss for the
European fly-in and airshow scene. |
|
Today
Luxaviation announced its LXA Flyer program. In this program the company will
operate five brandnew Beech 250 turboprop aircraft for charter operations. Two
aircraft are already operational and one of these is assigned to Luxaviation
Belgium at Kortrijk/Wevelgem airport. Luxaviation intends to take a share in the
market segment dominated by operators flying Pilatus PC.12 aircraft. |
During the past weeks, Brussels Airlines has noted a significant rise in the
number of bookings. Thanks to the ongoing vaccination, the European vaccination
certificate and the ease on travel restrictions the numbers have risen by 30 to
50% on holiday destinations. |
 Several
Belgian news websites announced that Air Antwerp will go into liquidation. The
company is unable to recover from the Covid-19 restrictions that resulted in
almost one year without scheduled flights. The sole aircraft was already
returned to the Swedish owner several weeks ago. |
|
The
winter season will see two new routes flown by Ryanair: Essaouira, Morocco
(Thursday & Sunday) and Paphos, Cyprus (Tuesday & Sunday) will be added to the
regular services. Both destinations will be flown by Boeing 737-800. Tickets are
available on the Ryanair website. |
 Liege
Airport and Saudia Cargo signed a commercial partnership until 2023. The company
will increase cargo flights to and from the airport which, in turn, will be
connected to Saudia Cargo’s vast global network. Saudia Cargo is the air freight
company of Saudi Arabian Airlines based in Jeddah with numerous operations in
Europe. The company enjoys a solid reputation and is part of the world’s largest
air cargo alliance, Skyteam cargo. Saudia Cargo is famous for its premium air
cargo shipping services of all types of cargo such as pharmaceuticals,
e-commerce, live animals and many more. To boost Cargo activities and
operational flexibility, Saudia Cargo has chosen Liege Airport as an additional
airport in Europe for its regular cargo operations as well as for Charter
flights. |
As
from 30 June ASL Fly Executive offers a twice a week service from Brussel to
Ibiza using their Embraer Emb.135 aircraft. This service will be flown on
Wednesday and Saturday till 18 August 2021.
At the same time the company announced that they will also offer an Antwerp to
Innsbruck service again during the coming winter. This service will be available
from 15.01.2022 till 26.03.22. |
 After
many difficult months of travel restrictions and even travel bans, Brussels
Airport, and home carriers Brussels Airlines and TUI are ready for the summer
season. Particular attention will be paid to safety, with sanitary measures at
the airport and on board the aircraft constantly strengthened and updated.
Moreover, today, 95% of travellers leave Brussels Airport with a negative PCR
test. As to the network served, Brussels Airlines will operate flights to 78
destinations and TUI to 75 destinations. |
 TUI
is very positive after the long Ascension weekend. During this week the company
operated 87 flights with a 92% or more occupation rate. In addition to the
Spanish destinations the company restarted flights to five Greek destinations
Last week the airline received 14% more bookings than during the same week in
2019 (pre-Covid-19) |
|
 In
a note published on 7 May 2021 the Belgian C.A.A. adapted the Covid-19 rules for
General Aviation flights in Belgium.
Flights with family members or very close contacts in one aircraft are possible
again without any restriction.
Flights with ‘third parties’ are allowed when all on board wear mouth masks and
handgels are used. The rules allow aeroclubs to offer introduction and
initiation flights again.
Also balloon flights (with passengers) and paradrop activities can restart as
from today.
|
 Aerocircular,
a company for dismantling aircraft, that started operations at Ostend Airport in
2019 with the help of an investment by the Flemish government has been declared
bankrupt. |
Brussels
Airlines reported as loss of 70 milj. Euro for the first quarter of 2021. The
company counted 192.000 passengers during the first three months of 2021, a
reduction with 88%. (during the first two months of 2020 there was no Covid-19
impact).
The company only flew 1.791 flights, 87% less than in 2020. |
During
the night of 18 July 2018 the hangar of the Aeroclub van Brasschaat was
completely destroyed by fire.
Almost three years later the construction of a new hangar has started. We
presume it will be finished in the coming weeks. |
As
the restriction on non-essential travel is coming to an end on April 19th, TUI
is planning to start flying out of Antwerp as from April 20th.
The company will fly twice weekly to Malaga (TUE&SAT), Alicante(WAD&SUN),
Ibiza(MON&FRI), Mallorca (THU&SUN) and Murcia (WED&SAT).
On June 18th, a new destination will be added : Avignon which will be flown on
Monday and Friday. |
NHV
Group today announced a new contract with PSE Kinsale Energy Ltd in support of
its decommissioning operations in the Celtic Sea.
_small.jpg) The
transfer flights towards the Stena Spey drilling rig, about 50 km off the south
coast of Cork, are expected to start in April 2021 for a duration of six to
eight months. NHV AS Denmark, NHV’s Danish branch, will be performing the
contract. The agreement facilitates the provision of one dedicated Leonardo
AW139 aircraft. |
Under
the current Covid-19 restrictions flight training was limited to student-pilots
working towards a CPL/ATPL licence.
Under the revised rules implemented from 08 March 2021 flight-training for
student-pilots working towards a PPL licence is possible again. But only for
student-pilots who started their flight training before the start of the
pandemic
If we understand the new regulations correct, flight training for new students
is still prohibited. |
 NHV
Group today announced a new contract with Allseas to provide helicopter services
in support of the Energinet Europipe II Branch Pipeline project. The weekly H175
flights will depart from NHV’s base in Esbjerg. |
Yesterday the Morocco Health Secretary decided to immediately stop all
flights between Morocco and Belgium. The reason is, as always, the Covid 19
pandemic.
There will be no services between the two countries till, at least, 21 March. |
Brussels Airlines is slowly expanding its flight for holidaymakers
• 78 destinations for the summer time-table
• Focus on holiday destinations
• Start of the Brussel-Frankfurt service
• All tariffs remain flexible
As it is expected that demand for summer voyages will rise over the coming
months, Brussels Airlines wants to offer its customers interesting holiday
destinations. |
Last
year JMB Aircraft won the Fliegermagazine award for ‘Best 600 kg UL Ultralight
Plane’. This year the company is nominated again, this time for ‘Best New Ultralight’.
The Fliegermagazine award is organised for the tenth time this year.
 |
|
After
almost 2 years on the ground, Boeing 737Max – OO-MAX - is the first TUI Fly
aircraft that returned to service today. The aircraft left Brussels airport this
morning for a flight to Alicante. During the previous days the company flew some
‘operational readiness flights’ in order to prepare the aircraft and crew for
the return to service. These flights lasted about one hour including approaches
on order to test the manual and automatic landings. |
 This
year too skeyes is looking for new air traffic controllers. Candidates can
register for the recruitment procedure from 15 February to 14 March 2021. It
consists of five stages. Only those who pass each stage separately will move on
to the next stage. Those who pass the entire process can start the training on 1
September 2021 to become an air traffic controller.
Candidates must hold a secondary education diploma, be less than 30 years old on
the closing date for registration and be 18 years old on 1 September 2021. |
|
It
seems Air Belgium will cooperate with the French CMA CGM Group to start up a
cargo operation. CMA CGM acquired two Airbus A.330 freighter that will be
operated by Air Belgium. Air Belgium itself will acquire an additional two
aircraft. All aircraft are former Qatar Airways machines. So the company intends
to start operations with four aircraft on routes from Europe to China. |
Air
Belgium just announced the intention to start full cargo operations from Liège/Bierset
airport using Airbus A.330 aircraft. The company plans to start operations with
two aircraft as early as next month.
It is not clear if their is any connection with the announcement from Fedex that
it will downsize operations at Liège airport. Air Belgium CEO Terzakis was,
years ago, instrumental in the start of TNT Airways operations at Liège airport.
So, this link certainly exists ! |
 Flyinggroup
recently signed an FBO agreement with Jet Aviation. Jet Aviation will support
Flyinggroup aircraft with handling services on flights throughout Europe, the
Middle East and Asia.
(source : Business Air News) |
|
Flight
training is allowed again as is training to obtain a car driving licence. For
flight training some restrictions are still in use. The Belgian C.A.A. agreed to
allow all training. But the Covid-19 expert group, who advise the Federal
Government, suggested to limit flight training to student pilots working towards
a Commercial Pilot Licence. So, all training flights for students hoping to
obtain a PPL (Private Pilot Licence) are still prohibited at his moment. |
 During
Februart and March Brussels Airlines will cancel up to 900 flights. The reason
is simple, a lack of passengers.
Some destinations as Barcelona, Göteborg, Rome and Wien will not be serviced
during these two months. Several other cities will be serviced with a reduced
number of flights. During February the company will only fly 7% of the flights
offered in the same month last year. For March 12% of the flights are still
planned.
The company fears that possible government restrictions on non-essential
travelling may have an additional impact.
All flights to African destinations remain on the planning. |
The
two previous years were difficult for Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen (N.H.V.)
due to the reduced workload for the oil and gas business and the Covid-19
pandemic
The company recently finalised and agreement with major shareholder Ardian and
several banks. The company will also continue with the optimalisation of its
fleet.
A long standing dispute with N.H.V. founder E. Van Hal was also solved.
(source : De Tijd) |
After
more than 22 months on the ground, the four Belgian registered Boeing 737MAX can
return to service in the coming days. Normally the European Aviation Authority
EASA will allow the return into service next week. The aircraft were grounded on
12 March 2019 as a result of a worldwide ban on this type after a second fatal
crash.
Four TUI Belgium aircraft are since parked at Brussels Airport. We suppose that
the aircraft will need some maintenance and checks before returning to service.
The fact that these aircraft have been inactive for such a long period
‘disappeared’ in the massive turn-down as a result of Covid-19. |
During
the pandemic year of 2020 only 88.036 passengers passed through Antwerp Airport.
Compared to the 306.330 in 2019 this is a decrease of 71,3%.
There was also a decrease of 34% in businessflights. |
Delta
Air Lines will fly a full freighter regular service between Brussels airport and
Detroit starting on 18 January. Initially there will be two weekly services
operated with Airbus A.330 aircraft. From February three weekly flights are
planned.
Cargo will included Covid-19 vaccines produced in Belgium as well as medical
equipment, pharmaceuticals and US mail. |
|
|
|
 Founded
in 2000, Antwerp based broker The Aviation Factory is the leading company in the
Benelux organising around 4.000 flights for business and private customers. The
team comprises 25 brokers working from 10 different countries in Europe and the
Middle East.
Now the company opens an office at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The first goal is
to service existing European customers looking for private flights in the U.S.
and the Caribbean.
|
|
Already
15 years ago Raymond Cuypers/Raymond’s Aircraft Restorations bv finished the
ground-up restoration of Boeing Stearman – N9912H – owned and flown by retired
KLM Captain and ‘Storyteller’ Hans Nordsiek. Last year R.A.R. assisted in the
shipment of this well known aircraft from Antwerpen to the U.S.A.
Last weekend this immaculate aircraft was awarded the ‘Best WWII Custom
Preservation’ award at the 2022 Sun’n Sun flyin at Lakeland, Florida.
Congratulations to the proud owner and an even prouder restorer !! |
|
Last
year, during the Covid pandemic, NHV started operating the AW.169 heli from its
Blackpool base supporting the UK oil & gas market.
Now the company reached the over 1.550 flying hours mark. The company remained
as flexible as possible during the Covid pandemic and even flew flight
collecting offshore passengers experiencing Covid-19 symptoms and bringing them
safely back onshore.
(photograph Danny Nixon) |
During
the summerseason, Brussels Airport will be welcoming 4 new airlines: Transavia,
Flyr, PLAY and TUS Airways.
Three other companies are re-launching their services out of Brussels Airport:
Delta Air Lines, Air Transat and CSA. While other airlines are expanding their
services and schedules |
The
European Cockpit Association organised a survey to look at criteria as
contractual arrangements, union relations and work-life balance. The intention
was to get an idea about pilot satisfaction in the cockpit and how much of an
attractive and social employer European airlines are.
In the top group called ‘Social Excellence’ we do not find any Belgian company.
They are situated in the second group, the ‘Social Partner’ airlines. They still
score high but most pilots see some room for improvement.
Top Belgian airline is the TUI group with a score of 84. Brussels Airlines got a
score of 77. ASL Airlines, another important player in Belgium received a score
of 71. Air Belgium is not included in the survey results. |
Sonaca
Aircraft just announced five new orders for their Sonaca. Four aircraft will go
the New CAG Air Academy based at Charleroi airport. New CAG already flew more
than 4.000 hrs with their Sonaca 200 aircraft. One will go to
Blackbushe Aviation in the U.K. First deliveries are planned for Spring 2022.
The Sonaca 200 NG version is equipped with Garmin Gi275 digital instruments and
is cleared for VFR night flights.
|
Today,
Brussels Airlines presents a new brand identity, confirming its position in the
market as Belgium’s home carrier. Updated colours, a new logo and aircraft
livery are the visual token of the airline’s new chapter, stating its readiness
for future challenges and re-emphasizing on the importance of the Belgian brand.
A chapter with a strong focus on customer experience, reliability and
sustainability while keeping a competitive cost-structure.
 The
new brand identity includes a new version of the Brussels Airlines signature red
and blue colours, now a deeper red and a darker shade of blue. The dotted “b”,
which today adorns the tails of its fleet, makes way for 9 dots of different
sizes in the form of a square, to represent the diversity of its customers, its
destinations and its employees. No dot is alike. The updated logo also makes use
of a new, more modern type font. The two words of the brand name are now
stacked, with the word “brussels” gaining more importance with its larger size
to emphasize the airline’s Belgian identity. The new aircraft livery, shows a
zoom on the dotted logo on the tails, a fresh white body and a continuation of
dots in different shades of blue and grey. |
|
U.S.
carrier Delta Airlines announced that Brussel is one of six European
destinations that will be serviced again as from next summer. Flights into
Brussels Airport will restart on 26 March 2022. This service will be flown five
times each week using Boeing 767-300 aircraft. |
|
After
an absence of 19 months, Thai Airways returned to Brussels Airport last
Wednesday, 03 November 2021. This service is flown twice a week (Wednesday and
Friday) with Airbus A.350-900 aircraft. Thailand is again open to foreign
vaccinated tourists. |
Thanks
to a rising demand for flights and a competitive costs structure, Brussels
Airlines has a positive result in the 3rd quarter of 2021. |
|
Today,
Air Belgium accepted, at Toulouse, the first of two Airbus A.330-900’s. The
company will operate this aircraft on long-haul flights from Brussels Airport.
This aircraft can accept up to 286 passengers (30 business class, 21 premium
class and 235 economy class). These aircraft will replace the Airbus A.340’s
that are still operated by the company today.
|
|
CMA
CGM ordered two Boeing 777 freighter aircraft. We presume that these aircraft
will complement the existing fleet of four Airbus A.330 freighters operated by
Air Belgium from Liège/Bierset and Brussels airport. The Boeing 777 gives
additional capacity as it is able to take more than 100 tons of revenue freight
on flights up to 5.000 nmi.
|
JMB
aircraft is thrilled to announce that the VL3 Evolution has been awarded again
by Fliegermagazin , one of the most famous magazines in Germany, as a best
ultralight plane of the year!
After receiving the innovation award only a few weeks ago by another German
press Aerokurier, the VL3 Evolution now holds both trophies for the year.
“This is a second year our aircraft has been awarded in a row and we are really
excited about it as the hard work our team puts in designing and manufacturing
the VL3 proves we are on the right track.” said the CEO of JMB aircraft, Jean
Marie Guisset. |
On
Wednesday 07 July 2021 Belgian glider ‘legend’ Bert Zegels passed away. Bert
started his career gliding at Keiheuvel. In 1974 he obtained second place in de
world championship gliding at Waikerie (Australia) in the Open Class.
He later flew as a professional airline pilot for Delta Air Transport on Fokker
F.28, Air Belgium on the Boeing 757 and Citybird and Korean Airlines on the
MD.11.
The picture attached shows Fokker F.28 – OO-DJA – flown by Bert making an
impressive low-pass at the Keiheuvel air show on 23 August 1987.
(photo Bob Rongé) |
On
28 and 29 June 2021 a Gulfstream 280 and a Gulfstream 500 visited Luxaviation at
Kortrijk/Wevelgem airport as a final stop of a European sales tour. The
Gulfstream Aerospace sales team made this visit in an effort to sell their
aircraft on the Belgian bizjet market where the long and middle range segment is
dominated by their rivals Dassault Aviation and Bombardier.
 |
An
Airbus A.330neo (c/n 1844) was spotted at Toulouse with an air Belgium logo on
the engine cowlings. It seems that Air Belgium intends to replace the three
Airbus A.340 aircraft in service at this moment by two Next Generation Airbus
A.330 aircraft.
Both aircraft, originally intended for Rwandair, are parked at Toulouse at this
moment. |
As
a result of the visit of U.S. president Biden to the NATO Summit at Brussel,
important restrictions on General Aviation flights will be implemented from 13
June till 15 June included.
In a 13 nm range around Brussels all VFR activity will be prohibited. All
airfields/heliports in this zone will be closed, except Brussels Airport.
In a 30 nm range VFR flights can only take place based on a flight plan
submitted at least 60 min before departure and are limited to transponder
equipped aircraft. Flights in Class G airspace (= uncontrolled airspace) must
stay in contact with BELGA information (129.325).
Aerobatic flights, gliding and parajumping activities as well as all ULM, DPM
and balloon flights are prohibited during this period.
The precise timing of the activation of all these restrictions will be
communicated later.
It will be quiet over Belgium during this period we presume ! |
Air
Belgium will start a service from Charleroi/Brussels South to Curaçao as from 3
July. This service, flown with the Air Belgium Airbus A.340 aircraft, will make
a stop at Martinique before flying to Willemstad on the Island of Curaçao.
Corendon is aiming at Belgian customers who do not have to travel to Amsterdam
to catch their flight.
The Belgian government still has to adapt the travel restrictions towards
Curaçao in order to start this operation. |
As
from June 29th Eurowings will be flying out of Brussels South Charleroi Airport.
The airline will organise regular flights to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo.
Tickets are available via the company's website at a starting price of € 49,99. |
This annual competition was flown at Saint Hubert from 22 May till 29
May. The new champions are Thomas De Bruyn in the Club-class, Dennis Huybreckx
in the combined Standard, 15M and 20M and Jean-Luc Colson in the combined 18m -
20m and Open class.
Thomas De Bruyn flew the Rolladen Schneider LS.4 – OO-YBL/B4, Dennis Huybreckx
flew the Rolladen Schneider LS.8 – D-1688/CM and Jan-Luc Colson the Schleicher
ASG.29/18M – D-KCTC/TC. |
This
summer, Brussels Airport can offer no less than 175 destinations to its
passengers. Everyone in need of holidays after this challenging year is sure to
find what they’re looking for in the wide range of destinations. The sanitary
safety measures that continue to apply at the airport and the mandatory testing
for almost all destinations combine to make the airport a very safe place for
you to begin your holidays. 95% of departing passengers has a negative Covid-19
test certificate.
|
Air
Belgium, flying three Airbus A.330 freighters for CMA CGM Cargo offers three
additional destinations. After three U.S. destinations (Chicago, New York and
Atlanta) the company will add Beirut, Istanbul and Dubai as new destinations in
the coming weeks.
From its base a Liège/Bierset airport he company offers a rapid connection
between these new destinations and the U.S.A. |
Today
Air Antwerp's sole Fokker 50 was ferried to Malmö for a C-check and temporarily
storage as officially communicated. When and if we will see it returning remains
to be seen. Whatever happens next, time will tell. |
|
Ryanair
announced another four destinations that it will service from Brussels South
airport during the coming summer. These are Santorini and Heraklion (twice per
week). Chania and Rhodos will have three flights each week until the end of
Oktober. |
|
Brussels
Airport and skeyes are testing the operational use of drones at and around the
airport this week. In a secure environment, an innovative safety drone is
deployed, which can be controlled from a large distance to find out how drones
can increase the safety, security and efficiency of airport operations. In
addition, a drone detection system is being tested to detect unwanted drones, as
these are not allowed in normal circumstances at and around the airport.
|
 CMA
CGM Air Cargo will add two U.S. destinations to their network. After Chicago,
also Atlanta and New York will be serviced. Yesterday the second airbus A.330F
was delivered to their Liège/Bierset base. The company will operate four Airbus
A.330F aircraft. At his moment the first aircraft, OO-CMA, is flying a daily
schedule from Liège/Bierset to Chicago.
|
Former
Belgian Air Force Fouga Magister MT29 moved from Balen to a new location at
Helchteren. It stands there along a former Czech A.F. Mig 21.
(Photo: Toon Cox) |
|
Today,
around noon, three Turkish registered Sonaca 201 aircraft left the Sonaca
facility at Temploux airport on delivery to Ayjet in Turkey. |
|
The
United States Air Force has awarded the maintenance contract for their Europe
based F-16's to SABCA. SABCA MRO in Charleroi is the expertise center for F-16's
in Europe. The contract means work for the coming 10 years. |
Swissport
inaugurated a brand-new four-story office building at its Brussels air cargo
facility. This opening is the latest milestone in the large-scale refurbishment
of Swissport’s Brussels cargo complex which started in January 2019 and includes
25,000 sqm of warehouse space and a state-of-the-art Pharma Center.
 The
opening of the office building allows Swissport to further improve the flow of
trucks with a dedicated on-site queuing area right in front of the new
acceptance office. Solar panels and a green roof of over 1,000 sqm will greatly
improve the environmental performance of the facility. With its stunning airport
views, the building provides employees and customers with a highly modern and
motivating work environment. |
Traffic
on all airports is very slow due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Today the Antwerp
Airport management used this opportunity to refurbish all markings on the runway
and platforms. So, a lot of ‘painting’ activity today.
Also the demolition of part of the ‘south hangars’ has now started. This area
will be used by ‘De Lijn’ to build a new facility for maintenance and parking of
their public transport buses.
 
 ASL
Aviation has confirmed that it is taking up 10 options for the 737-800 Boeing
Converted Freighter. This follows the original agreement with Boeing for 10 firm
orders and 10 options, announced at the Paris Air Show in June 2019. The first
737-800BCF aircraft for ASL was delivered and entered service last month with
ASL Airlines France.
(source : aviation24.be) |
The
ban on non-essential travel issued by the Belgian government was recently
extended. As a result Air Belgium announced that it will not restart passenger
flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe before 1 April.
Air
Antwerp announced that the earliest restart of the service from Antwerp Airport
and London/City will be 2 May 2021 ! |
Wizz
Air will start a Charleroi/Brussels South to Sarajevo service on 21 May 2021
using Airbus A.320 aircraft. The service will be flown twice each week on Monday
and Friday. Tickets are for sale for 19.,99 (!!) Euro.
Wizz Air now offers flights to 15 destinations from Charleroi/Brussels South
airport. |
NHV
Group today announced a new long-term contract with Neptune Energy in support of
its offshore Seagull Field development. Under the initial eighteen months
agreement, the H175 flights will depart from NHV’s base in Aberdeen to transport
passengers to the drilling rig.
(photo Lloyd Horgan) |
Still
no improvement during December 2020. Passengers went down with 82.20% (338.110
versus 1.901.816 in 2019). The movements went down with 63.90% (6.308 in 2020 –
17.579 in 2019)
Full freighter cargo went up again. This month with 7.2% (15.492 tons) But the
overall cargo went down with 8.90 %. Main reason is the belly cargo flown on
passenger flights that went down with 59% from 14.716 tons to 6.035 tons. |
Air
Belgium announced that it stops (again) its scheduled flights to the West Indies
from 30 January untill 1 March 2021.
TUI
Fly is studying a possible suspension of all flights during February. All these
decisions are based on the ban on leisure travel imposed by the Belgian
government. |
Fedex
announced that up to 6.300 European employees will have to leave the company.
The impact on the Belgian workforce will, almost certainly, be very important.
Paris/CDG airport will become the main European hub. This means that the number
of aircraft (and parcels) at Liège/Bierset will reduce. More details are not
known at this moment. |
While
the aviation sector worldwide was experiencing a nightmarish 2020, Liege Airport
was one of the few airports in Europe and throughout the world to perform well.
Our specialisation in the transport of goods (full cargo) made us a leading
player, an essential link in the fight against the pandemic. We saw a 24%
increase in the tonnage passing through the airport compared to 2019, going from
902,480 to 1,120,643 tonnes.
The lockdown also had a direct effect on consumption patterns, which is
reflected by a boom in the e-commerce sector, a sector which has become much
more important to us as we have handled over 500 million packages this year,
compared to just over 320 million in 2019.
Passenger traffic decreased sharply, with 44,487 travellers in 2020 compared to
170,737 in 2020, a 74% drop.
The total number of aircraft movements remained stable with 40,300 flights
(landings and take-offs) in 2020, compared to 39,886 flights in 2019. The growth
of our cargo activities was in fact offset by the decrease in passenger flights,
training flights and business aviation. |
Last
year, during 2020, Ostend airport handled a total of 52.659 tons of freight (+
112.7%)
The number of passengers went down from 457.423 to 111.499 (- 75.60%) |
|
Jota
Airlines, a British carrier operating several former Belgian registered
BAe146/Avro RJ.85’s announced the start of an air bridge between Ostend airport
and Birmingham. The company offers a twice daily scheduled service as a faster
alternative for road transport. This will almost certainly be delayed as a
result of Brexit. The aircraft used can take op the 10.5 tons of freight (up to
7 pallets of 9 cubic meters volume each) | |
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