Air Belgium (the start-up long haul carrier – planning to operate long haul routes out Brussels Charleroi) have decided to make use of one of their Airbus A340-300 aircraft… by hiring it to Air France.
Air Belgium Airbus A340-300 at Brussels National Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
The Air Belgium Airbus A340-300 will fly for Air France between Paris CDG and Libreville.
According to Routes Online this is due to operate for the entirety of June on a daily basis.
As for the primary Air Belgium operation itself… that’s looking a bit more sorry for itself, with two services a week from 3rd June, before increasing to three flights a week in July and August.
The airline launched with some impressive product image, but has been beset with launch problems (such as getting overfly rights over Russia) – and thus has been offering the aircraft on the charter market (for example one frame has been used by Condor for flights between Lepzig to the Balearic’s, Tenerife and other destinations).
With two A340-300s in its fleet – and two to follow – the airline has the aircraft to spare currently so it can use its aircraft to generate extra revenue… until it can get its own services off the ground.
And the 3rd June isn’t far away.
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does anyone at this point still believe Air Belgium is actually legit instead of being a… ahem … vehicle …. for money laundering ?
To quote the infamous Francis Urquhart “You might very well think that; I couldn’t possibly comment”…
I had initially thought the same. Now that they have actual planes that they’re actively working to get flying (and earning revenue), I’m not so sure. They’re showing a lot more hustle than hucksters usually do.