The uncertainty surrounding Belgium's air transport industry continued as 2001 came to an end with the Brussels Court of Commerce removing creditor protection from Sabena Interservice Centre (SIC), the holding company for the bankrupt airlines' subsidiaries such as Delta Air Transport and Sabena Technics. Negotiations are underway to agree a plan with creditors not to call in debts from SIC, a move which could bankrupt the subsidiaries and jeopardise plans by Belgian industrial consortium Air Holding to develop DAT, possibly in a merger with Virgin Express. Sabena's receiver has approved the sale of DAT to the consortium for a single euro. Meanwhile, local aviation entrepreneur Freddy Van Gaver says plans to launch new long-haul carrier VG Airlines are progressing to the point where he expects to start Airbus A330-200 services to the USA from Brussels by April.
Source: Flight International
