Launched in 2018, Air Belgium made headlines after it expanded into new and somewhat untouched markets, notably from its homebase in Brussels-Charleroi Airport; a primarily low-cost airport and a significant base for Ireland’s Ryanair. Air Belgium became the first to offer scheduled long-haul flights to Hong Kong from the low-cost hub – a move that surprised many. Not only was the airline competing against Cathay Pacific, who operated to the more convenient Brussels-Zaventem Airport, but it also utilised four-engined Airbus A340-300s – which remain in the carrier’s core fleet to this date.
That is set to change however. Although yet to be communicated officially, two Airbus A330neos are undergoing preparation in Toulouse destined for none other than Air Belgium. The aircraft will equip the airline with a competitive advantage against the likes of Brussels Airlines and TUI Airlines Belgium – the country’s two largest airlines.
The two Airbus A330-900s sitting at Toulouse were originally destined for the now defunct Air Berlin. At the hands of Air Lease Corporation, Rwandair revealed interest in leasing the two and the aircraft were painted in the carrier’s livery. Eventually the agreement fell through and the planes were left without an operator.
A sticker with the Air Belgium branding on it has been spotted on an Airbus A330-900neo in Toulouse, registered MSN1844. The aircraft will, upon delivery, be re-registered OO-ABF. The other aircraft is registered MSN1861. According to sources for French aviation news site, actu-aero,fr, Air Belgium could likely take delivery of at least one of its Airbus A330neos this summer. The aircraft are due to be painted with the entire Air Belgium livery shortly, as well as be fitted with an Air Belgium-selected interior.
The carrier also plans to replace two of the A343s before the end of the year. He didn’t say what the new aircraft would be. #caribavia #avgeek
— Seth Miller (@WandrMe) June 15, 2021
At the CaribAvia conference that took place today, Air Belgium Chief Commercial Officer, Philippe Wilmart detailed plans to replace two of the airline’s Airbus A340-300s with a new aircraft type by the end of this year.
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Source: https://aeronewsx.com/air-belgium-gears-up-for-airbus-a330neo-deliveries-a340-300-replacement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=air-belgium-gears-up-for-airbus-a330neo-deliveries-a340-300-replacement
