Another new Belgian airline is under formation after the demise of national carrier Sabena. Following the mid-November relaunch of Sabena subsidiary Delta Air Transport to serve the European market and the start-up of VG Airlines on long-haul services to the USA in March, a group of former Sabena pilots have revealed plans to form their own international carrier.
The pilots claim to have the backing of four investors, who they say will invest in a new airline provided employees become shareholders. A say in the way their airline is run was one of the demands of Sabena pilots through the Belgian Cockpit Association at the time Sabena ran into financial trouble at the end of 2001. The outside investors, two of which are Belgian, appear to agree with this point of view, say the pilots.
The new airline would serve Africa, a market VG Airlines has not earmarked, and may co-operate with VG. It is expected to employ around 500 ex-Sabena pilots and 800 cabin crew. The creation of the carrier should be completed by the end of the month, claim the pilots.
Source: Flight International
