The new Belgian cargo company Cargo B (Link) will start a freight link between Brussels and Sao Paulo in Brazil from 22 January 2008. This first South American link for Cargo B will initially be flown once a week but in February a second weekly flight will be added. Cargo B started its business in October 2007 with a Brussels - Johannesburg connection and uses two Boeing 747-200 freighter aircraft. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws.

With the acquisition of a fourth Airbus A330-400 airliner which increases its seat capacity on African destinations with 30% Brussels Airlines is to increase the frequency on certain African cities. Connections with an increased service are Kinshasa (DRC), Kigali (Rwanda), Bujumbura (Burundi), Monrovia (Liberia), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Conakry (Guinea) and Yaoudé (Cameroon). Source: De Standaard

Five occupants of Bell 206B Jetranger II N678LW (c/n 3171) died when their helicopter crashed in a field at Merchtem. The helicopter was owned by Aircraft Power Maintenance (APM) a company based at Kortrijk-Wevelgem airport and was flown by the manager of the company. Source: VRTFlandersnews - Picture of N678LW

Panta Holdings B.V., owner of VLM Airlines, announced that it reached an agreement on the terms for the sale of VLM Airlines to Air France-KLM. VLM Airlines is one of Europe's leading regional carriers catering principally for business travellers. The company operates a fleet of 18 Fokker 50 and one BAE 146. London City Airport is the hub for the majority of its flights and therefore VLM Airlines will actively cooperate with the regional carrier CityJet, a 100% subsidiary of Air France, which is already operating out of London City Airport. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws

Frank Swaelen who was Minister of Defence between 22 October 1980 and 17 December 1981 has passed away after a long illness. In 1981 he became president of the Christian party CVP until 1988 and was considered a fine statesman by his colleagues in politics. Source: De Tijd

Belgian authorities have stepped up the security measures at Brussels Airport and other public places as a result of an increased threat for a terrorist attack. These measures are the direct consequence of the foiled al-Qaeda member Nizar Trabelsi jailbreak. An official said the plot involved explosives and that security was being stepped up in the capital over fears of a "possible attack". Source: Luchtvaartnieuws

The mayor of Aalter, Pieter De Crem (CD&V), is to become the new Minister of Defence in the new "temporarily" government "Guy Verhofstadt III".  Having been attached to the cabinet of Leo Delcroix when he was MoD, De Crem has an extended knowledge of defence files which he used as a member of the opposition.at several occasions when questioning his predecessor André Flahaut (PS)

Between 15 November and 15 December 2007 three Belgian Air Component Lockheed C-130H Hercules transports (together with 270 men/woman and 150 parachutists) were deployed to the French base of Toulouse-Francazal to participate in exercise "Herky". The aim of the "Herky" exercise was to train crews in humanitarian operations including flights at very low altitude and food droppings. Another demanding element of the training was landings and take*offs of unprepared landing strips. Source and more information: Armée de l'Air

Belgian handling company Aviapartner has signed a major contract with Lufhansa and Swiss for the provision of full handling services in Venice. The contract, effective 1 January 2008, covers about 5000 flights per year for both airlines combined. Lufthansa operates 10 flights each day out of Venice with 50-300 seat aircraft and Swiss 3 daily flights with RJ100 aircraft. The length of the contract will be 3 to 5 years. Source: Aviapartner

As from March 2008 Spanish airline Iberia will hand over its Brussels - Barcelona link to budget airline Clickair, which it partly owns. The link will be flown twice daily and is in direct competition with the daily return flight offered by low-budget airline Veuling. Brussels Airlines is also flying the Brussels - Barcelona link. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws.

Famous wartime 609 Squadron pilot Georges "Poupa" Jaspis, DFC, has passed away on December 14th at the age of 91. As former Aéronautique Militaire Belge pilot Jaspis escaped Belgium on March 1st, 1942, (Comet network) and reaches England via France, Spain and Portugal. He joined the famous N° 609 RAF Squadron were during two tours of operations he scored 4 (3 +1) victories against Luftwaffe aircraft in 1943/44. After the war "Poupa" joined Belgian airline Sabena for a successful career lasting 33 years. He will not be forgotten.  More information by André Bar on the live of Georges Jaspis can be found on the website "Belgians in RAF and SAAF 1940-1945" .

Georges Jaspis in memoriam

Georges Jaspis on La Boite à image

Georges Jaspis on Cometline (about the Comet line)

Georges Jaspis in La Libre Belgique

Georges Jaspis Squadron 609, Hawker Typhoon June 1944

Click here for a picture of the funeral.

Techspace Aero (part of the SAFRAN Group) has successfully finalised a major aero-engine module after some 3 years of research and development in the framework of the European programme VITAL. The aim of the programme is to lower fuel consumption, noise and CO2 emissions for aircraft engines. Realising this module can be considered as a major step forward towards future "greener" aero engines. Source: Aerospacemedia.

In early 2008 Belgian TUI affiliate Jetairfly is to start a direct link on regular basis between Liège - Bierset Airport and Tel Aviv in Israel. As such the company is the first to take advantage of the agreement signed last Tuesday between the two countries; (See BAHA News of 11 December 2007). Because of its location Liège has been selected by Jetairfly as it hopes to also attract customers from both Germany and the Netherlands. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws

The planned separate Low-Cost terminal (price tag 15 million Euros) at Brussels Airport is running into problems. Due to difficulties filing all the existing new installations and the adverse reaction of the Brussels Airlines direction (which does not like to see low cost competition on its own grounds at Zaventem) the project seems to lose support. (See also BAHA news of  7 November 2007. Source: La Libre.

The airports authorities of Israel and Belgium are expected to sign a new aviation agreement to enable further competition on airline routes between the two ccountries.  Belgium is asking for the addition of a new airline to the Liege-Tel Aviv route, along with Brussels Airlines. This will also allow Israel to issue a tender for another airline to operate flights between the countries, as El Al is currently the sole Israeli provider with scheduled flights to Brussels. Israel is asking for an additional agreement to allow its cargo planes to make a stopover in Belgium on their way to other destinations, such as the United States and the Far East. Source: Haaretz.com

The opening of the new passenger’s terminal at Charleroi airport has been postponed by two weeks due to discovery of some problems of the baggage registration.  The new terminal will be able to handle 5 million passengers annually. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws

Irish low cost airline Ryanair is to offer five new destination from Brussels South Charleroi airport starting from March 5th 2008. The connection with London Stansted however will be abandoned. The five new destinations are, Bergerac, Limoges and Perpignan in France, Porto in Portugal and Saragossa in Spain. To allow this increase in traffic a fifth Boeing 737-800 will be based at Gosselies. Ryanair now offers 26 destinations from Charleroi airport. Source: La Libre and Luchtvaartnieuws

Sabena technics, specialized in civil and military aircraft maintenance, has signed a 3 year contract for the heavy maintenance of Airbus A319 & A320 aircraft operated by Cyprus Airways, Cyprus’ flag carrier. This agreement consists of a three year aircraft maintenance services agreement that includes 16 heavy checks to be performed over a period ranging between winter 2007-2008 to winter 2009-2010. Source: Sabena Technics

Baha members Peter Celis and Cynrik De Decker have released their long-expected study on famous Belgian Wartime pilot Remi Van Lierde. Entitled "Mony Van Lierde DFC & 2 Bars - Van Volksjongen tot Volksheld" provides the readers with an inside view of this famous pilot, very well known in the United Kingdom as the ace-doodle bug (V-1)  killer. The study which covers the entire life and career of Van Lierde is lavishly illustrated with some very rare pictures and superb artwork by Bob Block. More details and ordering information here.

Minister of Defence André Flahaut has confirmed at the Council of Ministers that NATO requests Belgium to deploy a number of F-16 combat fighters to Afghanistan as well as groups of instructors (OMLT). At the same time a reinforcement of the 242 Belgian soldiers deployed for the protection of Kabul International airport could be necessary, according to Lt. Gen Vandingenen, chief of operations and training of the Belgian Defence.  

India fastest growing airline Jet Airways announced an expansion of its partnership with Brussels Airlines, offering seamless travel to Jet Airways valued customers from India to Birmingham and Madrid via its hub in Brussels. Effective December 06, 2007, the codeshare arrangement, which is currently applicable on Jet Airways operated flights from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai to Brussels, will be extended to connecting Brussels Airlines operated services to Birmingham and Madrid. Source: IndiaAviation

Brussels Airlines has launched the idea to join one of the three airline alliances One World, Skyteam or Star Alliance... The Belgian airliner hopes to have more clarity in the spring and begin negotiations to join an airline partner in order to increase its chance of survival, as Mr. Etienne Davignon, Brussels Airlines CEO puts it. Source: VRT.

A micro size Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) under evaluation by the Brussels North police zone (BruNO) for observation and photographic missions over urban area has crashed during a test at Peutie.  The UAV crashed due to extreme and unpredictable wind conditions in between high rise buildings. Following this incident handling (piloting) techniques will be adapted consequently. The drone constructed by the Orbit Geospatial Technologies division of Eurotronics situated at Lokeren will be repaired by the end of the year. Source: La Dernière Heure.

A Koksijde based Westland Seaking of N° 40 Squadron has assisted French rescue services in saving some 6 men from French fishing vessel. Unfortunately a seventh crew member is still missing.  The ship ran into problems in the Pas de Calais some 30 km out of Le Touquet and emitted a distress call upon which the rescue services including the Belgian Seaking scrambled in action. Source: Het Nieuwsblad.

With all electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and fuel systems completed and the four engine pylons installed, the complete 42 metre-long carbon composite wing has now been joined to the A400M’s fuselage. This delicate manoeuvre consists of accurately aligning the wing above the aircraft's centre section before completing the integration process. With MSN 001 now structurally complete, work continues on the aircraft’s systems with "power on", the availability of full systems functionality, by early 2008.  Source and pictures: Airbus Military.

Avro 652A Anson C.19-2 G-AYWA (ex-OO-CFA, OO-DFA, OO-VIT) has arrived by road at Beauvechain. Next Monday December 3rd, the machine will be transported to the reserve depot of the Royal Army Museum at Vissenaken.  This rare aircraft will be the second Anson preserved on the continent, the other one being in the Netherlands. This particular aircraft has a rich career in Congo and Belgium with Sabena and various civil Belgian operators before to be exported in the UK in the years 1960's. By chance, the administrative files of this aircraft are preserved by the National Alfred Renard Fund. The last owner was Retro Aviation in Coventry and although the airframe is in need of restoration spare parts were provided to complete the machine to static display. Click for pics: 1  &  2

The former airfield of Hoge Bergen--Eksteroor at Beerse will soon be broken up to give way to natural area managed by "het Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos" of the Flemish administration. The Flemish authorities had acquired the terrain in 2004 from the Metallo Chimique company. Created in the sixties the airfield was closed in the eighties after the discovery of some illegal smuggling business. The 800m by 25m runway will be broken up and used for the expansion of a large natural reserve. 

According to Indian airline Jet Airways the company will start a direct connection between Brussels Airport and Chicago medio 2008. Other destinations at the United States East coast are examined while a direct link with Los Angeles is also and option. For the moment Jet Airways flies the following links each time with a stop over at Brussels Airport:  Mumbai - New York (Newark), Delhi - New York (JFK) and Chennai - Toronto. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws

Negotiations between representatives of the Belgian Federal Service of Mobility &  Transport and the Federal Service of Foreign Affairs on one side  and the authorities of Ecuador and Columbia on the other side have been successfully concluded with the signature of two new agreements on freight traffic between the three countries involved. It is now expected that in the foreseeable future new air freight connection between Brussels and both countries will be organised.  Source: Luchtvaartnieuws

In a ceremony organised at the Maison des Ailes/Huis der Vleugels, Mrs. E. Delbaere has donated the original flag of the II° Groupe de Chasse of the 2nd Regiment d'Aéronautique to General "Mich" Mandel president of the pilot association "Les Vieiles Tiges". The flag which was recovered by the late husband of Mrs. Delbaere, Ewald, could be traced back to Montpellier in France where the Groupe ended up in June 1940. Almost certainly returned to Belgium it must have been hidden for the duration of the war before it was obtained by Mr. Delbaere. The flag will be displayed in the "Leboute" lounge at the Maison des Ailes/Huis der Vleugels. Click here for a picture.

Well known Belgian "SAR" movie: Windkracht 10: Koksijde Rescue" will be on show around the world. The distribution rights for this movie which focuses on the lives of some Belgian Air Component 40 Squadron Seaking helicopter crews have been sold to distributors in the United States, China, Latin America and Taiwan. "Windkracht 10” is the most popular Belgian film ever having attracted over 225.000 visitors. A well earned homage to the original Seaking SAR crews. Source: .Het Nieuwsblad

The Belgian Air Component Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport fleet is soon to be channelled through an upgrade and modernising programme to improve protection against ground-air and air-air launched missiles. This will include an integrated system which will warn the crew when their aircraft is "illuminated" by radar. For this purpose a new cockpit display will be added and at the same time instrument illumination will be optimised for the use of night vision goggles. All C130 will receive the new equipment by April 2009. Source: Mil.be Nl & Fr.

Four new Belgian Air Component future fighter pilots and three transport pilots have received their "French" pilot license (Macaronage) at the French Base aérienne 705 "Commandants Jean et François Tulasne" de Tours. For the fighter pilots this mean a transfer to the French jet fighter training school at Cazeau while the transport pilots will continue their training at Avord, flying Armée de l'Air Embraer Xingu turbo-prop aircraft; The ceremony in which 10 French pilots also obtained their license was conducted by Armée de l'Air Général de corps aérien Martel in the presence of the Commander of the Belgian Air Component Lt; General Van Caelenberge. Source: Armée de l'Air. Picture page by Eddy "Bink" Kelens here.

A Spitfire arrived at Antwerp Airport. The aircraft, an FR.XVIIIe type is registered a G-BUOS but painted in military livery. The machine will be stored at the Stampe & Vertongen museum during the winter months and will be on display to the public. Source: ASA  -  Picture: Airliners.net

Florennes based N° 1 "Stingers" squadron celebrates the 90th anniversary of its ensign; the Scottish Thistle. The origins of the Squadron can be traced back to 1913 at Brasschaat while in 1917 the Scottish Thistle was adopted as ensign. Over the many years the Thistle Squadron has known many designations and equipment ranging from the Farman to the Hurricane and post war from Spitfire to Mirage but has always been at the forefront of Belgian air-defence. Today N° 1 Squadron flies one of the most capable fighters around; the F-16AM/ BM (Mid Life Update) Fighting Falcon. Source: Mil.be FR & NL

The council of ministers has approved the proposal of Minister of Defence André Flahaut to extent by one year the mandate of General August Van Daele as Chief of the Belgian Defence (equivalent to Chief of Staff) in order to provide continuity and optimal management. Source: Presscenter

• Belgium: 02x F-16AM Fighting Falcon (FA-84, FA-91)
• Germany: 03x Tornado ECR (46+24, 46+25, 46+44); 03x F-4F Phantom II (37+01, 37+79, 38+63)
• Italy: 02x EF2000 (MM7277/4-1, MM7281/4-14); 02x Tornado IT-ECR (MM7019/50-05, MM7062/ 50-44); 05x AV-8B+ Harrier (MM7199/1-03, MM7200/1-04, MM7213/1-07, MM7215/1-09, MM7218/I-12)
• Netherlands: 02x F-16AM Fighting Falcon (J-009, J-058, J-142, J-509)
• Spain: 05x EF-18A Hornet ( C.15-12/12-75, C.15-44/12-02,  C.15-49/12-07,  C.15-58/12-16, C.15-70/12-28)
• United Kingdom: 02x Tornado GR.4 (ZA556/047, ZG707/119)
• United States: 04x F-16CG Fighting Falcon (87-0351 AV , 89-2030 AV, 89-2038 AV, 89-2041 AV )
• Civil: G-FRAS Falcon 20E (FR Aviation)

Dornier Do28D-1 Skyservant OO-GEO acquired in 1989 under a long term loan agreement with the Royal Army Museum at Brussels 1989 has left the Vrij Technisch Instituut at Oostende to be stored at the museum's Vissenaken depot. Since the inauguration of the brand-new Vlaams Luchtvaartopleidingscentrum (VLOC) at Oostende Airport (see Baha News of 01/06/2007) the Dornier was not essential anymore at the Stuiverstraat location and is now returned to its owners. Source: De Gentenaar

Barco, a leading global provider of visual display systems for simulation and training, announced that it has been selected for the visual display system upgrade for the B-2 trainers located at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Three simulators will be retrofitted with Barco’s new CD series of cross-cockpit collimated displays. Barco will perform the upgrade work via a contract through RSI Visual Systems (Euless, Texas). Source: Barco

Beechcraft 400 business jet I-ALVC with only one passenger aboard suffered a blown tire upon landing at Charleroi airport at 17h30 making the aircraft run off the runway in the grass. The runway was briefly closed until 22h00 for operations until a crane could remove the aircraft from its position next the main runway. Source: 7sur7 - Pics of crash on Luchtzak.be  - pic of aircraft

In January Brussels Airlines will close its office in Morocco in accordance with an agreement signed with Royal Air Maroc (RAM) on November 12th; This agreement foresees that RAM is to transport Brussels Airline clients from and to Casablanca. This measure is taken to face the fierce competition with new budget airlines starting to use Casablanca. Source: AngolaPress

Airport handling company Aviapartner has announced to it is to sell its catering business to market leader in airline meals the Swiss company Gate Gourmet. This sale does not affect the local employment of some 300 persons at the Brussels Airport facility. Source: VRT Nieuws.net.

As from now Brussels Airlines starts a new direct link between Brussels Airport and Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia.  The Republic of Slovenia has been an EU member since May 2004 and will be the first of the recent Member States to host the EU Presidency as from January 2008. This booming country couldn’t be without a direct connection with the European capital so that the initiative of Brussels Airlines to launch a 6 weekly service between Ljubljana and Brussels comes at the right moment. Source: Brussels Airlines

In a ceremony organised at Beauvechain airbase 72 Air Cadets have received their glider-pilot wings from Mr. André Flahaut Defence Minister and Royal Belgian Air Cadets president Lt.-Gen. Guido Vanhecke. The Air Cadets association counts some 500 active members, 200 of which managing personnel and 300 cadets. The association is an important source for future military and civil pilots. Source: Mil.be NL & FR

Five Agusta A.109BA helicopters of the Wing Heli are deployed between 17 November and 01 December 2007 to train mountain flying skills at the Mountain flying Centre at Saillagouse situated in the French Pyrenees. At the same time flying crews will train their mountain survival skills with some specialised instructors. Source: Mil.be FR and NL

Brussels Airlines has won the annual price of "Best Airline" offered by the professional travel agents periodical "Travel Magazine". In the short and long haul categories the new company is preceding Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airlines and VLM. Jetair has been elected best tour operator by the publication. Source: Cash.be

From 18 November 2007 onward, Ethiopian Airlines is to use a leased Boeing 747-200F freighter on its scheduled freight flights from Brussels Airport the company’s new freight-hub in Europe. In January 2008 a second 747 freighter will be operational on its freight link to Hong-Kong. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws.

In October 2007 Eurocontrol handled a total of 101.559 movements an increase of 7.89% compared to the same month in 2006. Brussels Airport had 23.874 movement (+ 7.33%), followed by Charleroi Brussels South with 8.484 movements (+0.70%), Oostende 5.984 (+18.07%), Antwerpen 5.809 (-6.68%) and Liège-Bierset with 4.588 movements (+19.45%). The Air traffic control centre CANAC registered 52.820 movements over Belgium (+9.35%). Source: Eurocontrol.

As of November 5th, Brussels Airlines is serving an exclusive Belgian beer brewed by the well known Brussels' restaurant "Chez Leon". With this initiative Brussels Airlines becomes the first airline in the world to serve exclusive beer to its passengers. The "Leon" beer is only available at the restaurant "Chez Leon" and on flights of Brussels Airlines. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws.

Danish low cost company Sterling Airlines has opened three new routes to Scandinavia from Brussels Airport. The new destinations are Copenhagen (six times a week with a 737-500 and a -700 on Sundays), Stockholm and Oslo (both four times a week with a 737-700). Source: Luchtvaartnieuws

The Air- and Land Component of the Belgian Defence department will organise between Monday 19th and Friday 23rd of November a low flying exercise involving F-16 fighters over the province of Liège. Aiming targets will be situated within the Elsenborn military compound. The aim of exercise "Ringo 52/4" is to train Forward Air Controllers (FAC's) in guiding aircraft to their targets. Source: Mil.be NL and FR.

Low cost airline Wizz Air will start a new route between the Romanian capital Bucharest and Charleroi Brussels-South airport as of 28 February 2008. The new link which will be flown three times a week is the fifth destination of Wizz Air from Charleroi airport besides connections to Warsaw, Katowice, Budapest and Ljubljana. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws

Over the weekend the new Belgian freight company Cargo B has accepted a second Boeing 747-200 cargo aircraft. The former Air France cargo-jumbo will be used for scheduled services to South America and Africa from December onwards. See also BAHA news item of 7 September 2007. Source and more information: Cargo B

VLM Airlines had decided to extend the test phase with its only jet in its fleet a BAe 146-300. The machine is faster and transports more passengers than the currently used Fokker 50 turbo-prop aircraft. The jet will continue to serve the Rotterdam-London City Airport route because of the increased demand. To be continued.... Source: Het Laatste Nieuws

Brussels Airlines is adding a 6th daily flight to the centrally located Berlin Tempelhof Airport which means even more convenience for connections from downtown Berlin to Brussels, the capital of Europe. With these 6 daily flights now available passengers can choose from departures almost once every 3 hours. Source: Brussels Airlines.

08/11 - Two new books on Belgian airfields which are now closed; Aalst and Ans

Baha member Gaston De Mol has just published his newest publication: "Een eeuw luchtvaart boven het land van Aalst"; the history of aviation in and around Aalst (more details and ordering information here) while renown researcher Bernard Wilkin has completed his book: "Histoire du terrain d'aviation d'Ans"; the detailed history of the first airfield at Liège from 1911 to 1930. (More details and ordering information here)

The Board of managers at Brussels Airport has approved the project to construct a new pier and terminal for low cost/budget airlines at the Zaventem airport. Budget airlines are increasingly successful and Brussels airport wants to get in on the action.  For this reason a completely new pier and terminal exclusively reserved for low cost companies will be built at the site of the old demolished southern pier. Source & more information: VRTNieuws.net

Delays in the development of the European military transport aircraft Airbus A400M will cost the EADS company composed of European partners between 1.2 and 1.4 million Euros. EADS admitted that deliveries are now 6 months behind schedule with a possibility of delays of up to one and a half years. Source and more information at Luchtvaartnieuws.

One year after the launch of VLM Airlines’  Frequent Flyer Programme ‘VLM Encore’, over 35.000 members have subscribed to the programme. To mark its first anniversary, a new higher tier is being introduced for the most frequent members of the programme. In addition to receiving a VLM Encore card, they will qualify for additional benefits such as access to the fast lane at Brussels Airport, access to the business lounge in Antwerp, and a number of other advantages that are currently being developed. Source and more: VLM Airlines

October 2007

VLM boss Jaap Rosen Jacobson declared that his successful airline is starting to evaluate a number of aircraft type in the 100 seat "whisper" jet category to progressively replace its Fokker 50 turbine aircraft.  Since about six months VLM is using a BAe 146 airliner on the Rotterdam-London route with a lot of success. Other candidates on the VLM shortlist are Embraer, Sukhoi, Mitsubishi and the Fokker 100. Source: Het Nieuwsblad

Florennes based N° 1 "Stingers" Squadron has deployed since 29/10 to the Eastern Romanian airbase Mihail Kogalniceanu, near Constanza (Black Sea) for an exercise period of two weeks. This exercise is the first deployment of Belgian Air Component F-16 fighters to Romania since it joined NATO in match 2004.   The "Stinger" pilots will train alongside the Romanian upgraded MiG-21 Lancer fighters based at Fetesti.

Jet Airways plans to fly to Brussels, its European hub, from five more cities — Calcutta, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Amrtisar and Bangalore. Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal said, “Under the existing agreement, we operate 28 flights from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai to Brussels in a week. Once the bilateral aviation treaty between Belgium and India is reviewed, we can double the number to 56 and include more cities.” Jet has launched flights to Toronto and New York via Brussels. Source: Aviation India

The new Congolese airline company created by Brussels Airlines and Hewa Bora Airways will be called "airDC". The name reflects the official abbreviation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (République Démocratique du Congo) and the airline is to specialise in domestic flight within Congo and some connections to African states.  airDC will fly with two former Brussels Airlines BAe 146's regional aircraft as well as a leased Boeing 737. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws and Afrique en Ligne

Two Air Component F-16Am fighters tasked to identify an airliner which lost all radio contact with the Belgian air traffic control were forced to go supersonic to the South of Brussels (Ukkel -Hoeilaart) to catch up with the aircraft. The instruction came from the German control centre that monitors European air space. The Delta Airlines passenger aircraft on a flight from Stuttgart (Germany) to Atlanta (USA) which left the Belgian airspace before being intercepted was able to re-establish contact with the British authorities. The incident proved to be a false alarm. Source: 7sur7

Former Belgian Light Aviation Britten Norman B9 was seen at East Midlands (Nottingham) Airport on 20 September last still sporting the basic Belgian military colour scheme and with its rudder missing (Picture at Air Britain). On October 1st the machine had acquired a complete new and smart civil paint scheme with registration G-BDZK.  (Picture at Air Britain). The British registration was only used temporarily because on October 12th the aircraft was officially registered N21BN to the Panther Inc of Wilmington, Delaware in the USA.

Romanian low-cost airline Blue Air which up to now operated 4 weekly flights between Charleroi airport and Bucharest since November 1st 2006 is to move to Zaventem as of next Sunday. According to some sources the move is strongly recommended by the Romanian national carrier Tarom which sees the arrival at Brussels of an Italian low-cost airline My Air which is to propose connections Between Brussels and Bucharest from 15 December onwards as a threatening competition. The departure of Blue Air from Charleroi (BSCA) will cost the airport some 30.000 passengers annually. Source:  Het Laatste Nieuws.

Boeing 747 suffering engine problems had to make an emergency landing at Liège-Bierset airport at about 02.00 hr local time. The pilot had warned the control tower that it one of the engines was out and that he would make an emergency landing. Emergency services from the airport and the city of Liège were ready but the pilot was able to make a textbook landing. In 2006 a very similar incident also happened at Bierset when a Kalitta Air 747 had to make a precautionary landing due to an air conditioning problem. (See BAHA news of 22/01/2006) Source: 7Sur7

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sabena Flight Academy, one of the world’s leading independent flight academies based in Brussels, to set up a joint venture modern aviation academy in the Southern Indian city of Hyderabad. GMR said the academy will be built near to its Rajiv Gandhi International airport in Hyderabad, currently under construction, and will offer complete training packages for aviation related activities covering pilot and cabin crew training, engine engineers, technicians and aviation consultants. Source: IndiBlitz.com

The investments arm of the federal Belgian Government (FPIM/SFPI) has sold its 78.3 million Euro share in Brussels Airport Company to the Australian group Macquarie which already owned 75% of BAC. Even after this sale the Belgian Government maintains a blocking minority share. Source: The Sidney Morning Herald.

Two Belgian Air Component F-16AM fighters have intercepted a Pakistani Boeing 777 which had lost all radio contact with the ground stations. The two Belgian aircraft were on a routine training mission and were directed towards the airliner. Once radio contact was re-established the fighters returned to their base. It's not uncommon for Belgian aircraft to intercept aircraft over Dutch territory and visa versa as the nearest available machines are directed to the suspicious flying object. Source: Het Blang van Limburg.

"I fly for charity” is an initiative of the Alfa-Line crew-chiefs and pilots of the 10th Tactical Wing at Kleine Brogel airbase, Belgium to fly the three KB based squadon-mascottes in wide variety of aircraft with the aim to sell them later for charity. Revenue will go to the "De Kleine Prins" - Kinderkankerfonds Limburg (Children’s Cancer Foundation). BAHA is proud to participate in this project. More information here.

German Luftwaffe McDD F-4F Phantom II 38+48 of Wittmundhafen based JG71 (Richthofen) had to make an emergency landing during the on going Tactical Leadership Program (TLP) for yet unknown reasons. No damage whatsoever was caused. Source: Foxalpha.com

Since the beginning of 2007 some 33 pilots have resigned from Brussels Airlines leaving the company with a shortage of pilots which could affect operations. Most of these experienced pilots were attracted by budget airlines offering more interesting salary conditions. In order to guarantee operation of its flights Brussels Airlines has had to call temporarily on a number of former Sabena pilots. Brussels Airlines boss Philippe Vanderputten is considering requesting the Government for special tax conditions for his pilots. Source: 7sur7.

A Belgian Air Component Airbus A310 blew two tires while landing at Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The aircraft which transported Minister of Defence André Flahaut and a delegation including Socialist state-minister Guy Spitaels did not suffer any further damage. The cause of the incident is the very bad state of the runway at Lubumbashi-Luano (Katanga) airport. The runway at Lubumbashi was already closed for use some months ago due to its deteriorated state but had been repaired temporarily. Source: 7sur7 and Het Laatste Nieuws

An Embraer ERJ aircraft of the Belgian Air Component transporting Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and some journalists to the European Top at Lisbon has been slightly damaged at the city's airport by a bus transporting members of the press. The windscreen of the bus has hit the left wing without causing visible damage but an investigation was started. Source: Het Laatste Nieuws and Le Soir

Agusta AB-412 SP equipped Royal Netherlands Air Force N° 303 SAR Squadron are the overall winners of the Search and Rescue Meet organised by Belgian Air Component's N° 40 Squadron based at Koksijde AB. Several foreign SAR teams participated at the competition which takes place at and near Koksijde between October 15th and 19th. More detailed results to follow.  Click here for more information on the SAR meet and here for the winner's home page N° 303 Sq.  Pictures 303 Sq. KLu Agusta AB 412 SP and 15° Stormo Italian Air Force HH-3F Pelican in action in typical "bad" SAR weather on 17 October 2007. More info: Het Nieuwsblad.

EADS, Airbus' parent company, said that slow progress in the development of computer software for controlling the A400M's engine could delay the military transport plane's delivery by at least six months and possibly as much as one yea, EADS, Airbus' parent company admitted. Delivery of the first A400Ms, four-engine turboprop transports aircraft to the French air force are now expected to start six months later than initially planned. The company said that the changes in the schedule will affect A400M deliveries to all customers including Belgium and Luxemburg. According to EADS, the first flight of the A400M is now expected by the middle of next year. Source: De Standaard

Belgocontrol, the autonomous public company in charge of the safety of air navigation in the Belgian civil airspace and at the Belgian public airports, presented the September 2007 statistics. The full story on the BAHA Forum.