Goodbye South Africa… Air Belgium to terminate flights
European carrier Air Belgium will stop operating all scheduled passenger flights to South Africa from next month.
Air Belgium will terminate all scheduled passenger flights into and out of South Africa in the next two weeks.
The European airline has only operated flights between Brussels and South Africa for almost a year. On 3 October, the airline will discontinue operating its entire scheduled route network due to a deteriorating financial situation.
Following Air Belgium's announcement on 18 September that it will be ceasing passenger flights to Mauritius and South Africa as from 3 October, a FAQ is currently being prepared and teams are being reinforced to answer all passenger questions. All our teams are mobilised.
— Air Belgium (@Airbelgium) September 18, 2023
FLYING TO SOUTH AFRICA
Air Belgium operates flights between Brussels and Johannesburg, with tag-on flights to Cape Town.
The airline launched scheduled flights to South Africa in September last year. Its flights to SA were the first direct links between South Africa and Belgium since the demise of Sabena Airlines in 2001.
ALSO READ: Spread your wings: Two brand new routes from South Africa to Europe
FINANCIAL CONCERNS
Air Belgium will suspend all scheduled passenger operations next month, due to its deteriorating financial position.
The carrier says the combined impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukrainian conflict, rising fuel prices and inflation have had a major impact on business.
“All these factors have had a very severe impact on the profitability of the business and on the cashflow,” Air Belgium said, per FlightGlobal.
According to FlightGlobal, the airline will shift its focus to other activities. It will file for a court-authorised restructuring, in order to reduce its debts.
AIR BELGIUM REDIRECTS FOCUS
The company has decided to overhaul its business strategy. Instead of providing scheduled passenger flights, it will concentrate on other areas in the business.
Air Belgium said its passenger operations have proven unprofitable. It aims to focus solely on wet-leasing of its aircraft as well as freight services. j
The airline employs 500 employees, which it intends to reassign to other activities within the company.
ALSO READ: Do you have a good relationship with food? 4 ways to know if you’ve got one