Air_Belgium_(1979–2000)
Air Belgium (1979–2000)
Former Belgian airline
Air Belgium S.A was a Belgian charter airline that launched in May 1979 as a leisure carrier and operated until 2000.
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| Commenced operations | 3 May 1979 (as Abelag Airways) 1980 (as Air Belgium) | ||||||
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| Ceased operations | 30 October 2000 | ||||||
| Hubs | Brussels Airport | ||||||
| Parent company | Airtours (1998-2000) | ||||||
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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 | |
- "Abelag Airways". Airline History. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- "Air Belgium Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
