A few months after the bankruptcy of VLM, we learnt that Thomas Cook Airline Belgium (TCAB) would cease its operations in November, more than 15 years after its inaugural flight.

As BeCA we regret to see a well running, professional and profit-making airline leave the Belgian market. But we are very happy that the TCAB crews will find a new home under the wings of Brussels Airlines and that the old AOC of TCAB will be used by a new player on the market. This is a positive signal for the entire Belgian aviation. SHS’s business plan, Brussels Airlines expansion and the Air Belgium startup (postponed until the end of the year due to AOC issues) are a clear sign of aviation growth in Belgium. This will open up new opportunities for a lot of pilots (expats, jobseekers, pilots with temporary contracts, ab-initio…)

Belgian airlines are preparing new hiring campaigns, and some even anticipate a pilot shortage in the coming months.