Archives
Company update
Air Belgium :
The company announced last month that it was focusing its operations on cargo and wet lease flights. The impact of the decision to cancel scheduled passenger flights is not yet known. The company is currently hiring A330 and B747 First Officers.
ASLB :
The relocation of two-thirds of the B737 operations from Liège to Paris is still in progress. The first French contracts (CDG based) should be ready by the end of the year. Terms and conditions have been under discussion for two years and are nearing finalisation, despite an unresolved issue over the number of days off.
Long-haul flights are facing serious challenges due to the current unfavourable economic climate and additional costs incurred by Russian counter-sanctions (closure of the Siberian airspace).
Brussels Airlines :
The first flight of the A320 NEO is planned in the coming weeks. A 10th A330 will be introduced next year to restart operations to Nairobi (Kenya). A huge amount of trainings (A330 conversions, Commander upgrades, ab initio trainings) will take place in the next 6 months. 50 ab initio A320 pilots will be hired.
Challenge Airlines BE :
The sister company of the Israeli cargo operator Challenge Airlines IL (former CAL Cargo Airlines) is still operating cargo flights from Liege to Tel Aviv. A 4th B747F will be phased in next year.
EAT/DHL :
The 2 B757 wet leased in Panama will not return to Europe. Additional A300s will be phased in to contribute to the expansion of the European network. EAT/DHL still operates cargo flights from Leipzig to Tel Aviv.
Ryanair :
Pilots based in Belgium remain at loggerheads with the management regarding the respect of the Belgian law. After 4 sets of 2 days strikes during summer, mediation from the ministry of labour was sought. The process ended on November 09, opening the door to new actions if no agreement is reached.
TUI Belgium :
The start of the biweekly flights Antwerp – Tel Aviv operated on Embraer E2 might be postponed due to the political situation in the Middle East. During winter, 2 B738 will operate wet lease flights from Milwaukee (USA) on behalf of Apple Leasing. Winter bookings are doing well.
