Air Belgium (1979–2000) Explained

Airline:Air Belgium
Iata:AJ
Icao:ABB
Callsign:AIR BELGIUM
Parent:Airtours (1998-2000)
Commenced:3 May 1979 (as Abelag Airways)
1980 (as Air Belgium)
Ceased:30 October 2000
Hubs:Brussels Airport

Air Belgium S.A was a Belgian charter airline that launched in May 1979 as a leisure carrier and operated until 2000.

History

On 3 May 1979, tour operator Sun International and charter company Abelag Aviation partnered to found the airline Abelag Airways.[1] It began operations with a Boeing 707 and a Boeing 737-200, flying from Brussels Airport to destinations in the Mediterranean. In 1980, after Abelag Aviation withdrew from the company, the airline was renamed to Air Belgium.

In 1990, in addition to European/Mediterranean destinations operated, the airline launched operations to destinations such as the United States and Mexico.

In 1998, Air Belgium and its parent company were bought by Airtours. By 30 October 2000, Air Belgium had ceased all flight operations.

Fleet

Air Belgium operated the following aircraft:[2]

Air Belgium fleet
AircraftTotalIntroducedRetiredNotes
Airbus A320-200219992000Leased from Airtours International Airways
Boeing 707-320C119791980
Boeing 737-200419801985
Boeing 737-300219861988
Boeing 737-300QC119961999
Boeing 737-400219882000
Boeing 757-200119891996

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Abelag Airways. Airline History. 7 November 2021.
  2. Web site: Air Belgium Fleet Details and History. Planespotters.net. June 24, 2023.