summary
- Belgian Airlines plans to retire two Airbus A330neo aircraft, citing engine problems and failed negotiations with Airbus.
- The airline faces operational constraints and financial difficulties due to debt and delays in refunding passengers.
- Sichuan Airlines’ parent company may no longer invest in Belgian Airlines.
Belgian media reported today that Air Belgium will retire two A330neo aircraft due to engine problems and fruitless negotiations with aircraft manufacturer Airbus.
Debt-stricken Air Belgium recently made headlines in Belgium after a local court extended its judicial rehabilitation proceedings (PRJ) for another four months, delaying refunds to nearly 11,000 passengers. A report published by L-Post this evening revealed that the airline is facing operational constraints across both its Airbus A330neo fleet and its workforce.
Airbus A330neo troubles
Belgian Airlines is reportedly planning to retire its Airbus A330neo fleet. The airline has two examples of him in service: OO-ABF and OO-ABG.
OO-ABF has been inactive in Brussels since the incident last summer. On August 21, 2023, the aircraft was en route from Brussels to Johannesburg when it had to divert to the Belgian capital due to a hydraulic pump failure during the flight. Metal fragments were found in the engine upon landing. Since then, the aircraft has reportedly been suffering from engine problems and is a well-known stable at Brussels Airport among aviation enthusiasts and travelers. The company’s A330neo fleet is equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.
OO-ABG is leased to LOT Polish Airlines and appears to be operating without major issues.
L-Post reported that talks between the airline and Airbus did not go well, which contributed to the airline’s decision to retire the aircraft. Meanwhile, the engine issues plaguing OO-ABF remain unresolved.
financial difficulties
As Simple Flying reported in September, Belgian Airlines suspended all scheduled passenger flights on October 3. The company is heavily in debt and posted a loss of 11 million euros (approximately $12 million) in 2021. The airline operated flights from Brussels Airport (BRU). ) to Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT) and Mauritius (MRU) in South Africa. The airline said at the time:
“After much research, Belgian Airlines [board] We have come to the conclusion that in order to make a profit on this front, large investments will be required in addition to those already made in recent years, which are not possible. ”
Belgian Airlines Airbus A330neo connects Brussels to South Africa for the first time in 20 years
Brussels now operates passenger flights to two major African cities that were not previously served.
The airline then applied to the court for restructuring, which was granted. The restructuring period was scheduled to expire on January 22, 2024, but the airline was unable to meet this deadline as it was unable to negotiate an agreement with all shareholders. He requested an extension in early January. This extension was subsequently granted. The airline said (translated from French):
“However, some agreements still need to be negotiated or finalized, given the remaining time and the uncertainty of whether it will be possible to finalize the agreement by the January 22, 2024 deadline. , Belgian Airlines will request an extension on January 5th.
This extension has a negative impact on former passengers who are still waiting for refunds for passenger flights after October 3, 2023. This is understood to total around 11,000 people.
According to a report from ch-aviation last week, Belgian Airlines has raised a loan of nearly 10 million yen.
Sichuan Airlines may not be able to rescue Belgian Airlines after all.
In September last year, Belgian newspaper De Tigid reported that Sichuan Airlines’ parent company had submitted a binding investment proposal to Belgian Airlines. The company was specifically looking to invest in landing rights in the country. Given recent developments, it has become clear that Sichuan Airlines’ parent company may not come to its rescue after all.
The agreement proposed by Sichuan Airlines was already difficult to accept. Air Belgium already has a 49% stake in Chinese logistics organization Hongyang. The rest is owned by the Wallonia (region of Belgium) government and the federal government. This will allow the company to maintain its status as a Belgian airline and its landing rights.
Focus on wet lease and cargo
The airline currently operates nine aircraft that are either destined for other airlines or are grounded.
Air Belgium operates two Airbus A330neos as well as two Airbus A330-200s. Both aircraft recently joined SriLankan Airlines on wet lease, offering services to Dhaka, Dubai, Frankfurt, Paris and Bangkok.
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The company’s two Airbus A330-200F aircraft are currently in service with Hongyuan Group, as are two Boeing 747-8F aircraft. The remaining 747-8Fs have not operated paid flights since October 2023.
Apart from concerns about its Airbus A330neo fleet, the airline is also losing employees to Brussels Airlines and Condor, according to L Post.
Simple Flying has contacted Belgian Airlines for confirmation regarding the status of the Airbus A330neo fleet. This article will be updated if we receive a response.