Liquidator Y. Steverlynck has asked auctioneer Troostwijk Belgium to privately sell the entirety or parts of SHS Antwerp Aviation, the parent company of VLM. The airline was operating out of Antwerp Airport but stopped operations on 31 August. Next to three Fokker 50, aircraft parts and engines you can also acquire its AOC (air operator certificate), brand names VLM Airlines and VLM and brand logo FlyVLM. Slots and commercial data of the routes Antwerp – London City and Antwerp – Zurich are also for sale.
The auction started today (24 September) and will end on 15 October at 12:00 (UTC +2)
An AOC being auctioned? We questioned the legality of such an operation. According to Wikipedia, in most jurisdictions (Wikipedia does not say which ones), an AOC may be sold or acquired to avoid the arduous process of gaining regulatory acceptance for a new AOC. To this end, a failed airline can be sold as a going concern and then changed into another business.
More information: https://www.troostwijkauctions.com/uk/shs-27587/01-27587/
