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.
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.
Air Belgium operated the following aircraft:[2]
Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus A320-200 | 2 | 1999 | 2000 | Leased from Airtours International Airways |
Boeing 707-320C | 1 | 1979 | 1980 | |
Boeing 737-200 | 4 | 1980 | 1985 | |
Boeing 737-300 | 2 | 1986 | 1988 | |
Boeing 737-300QC | 1 | 1996 | 1999 | |
Boeing 737-400 | 2 | 1988 | 2000 | |
Boeing 757-200 | 1 | 1989 | 1996 | |