VLM to cancel all routes except London City and Zurich, and to expand charter activities

VLM maintains scheduled flights to London City and Zurich and will expand charter activities

SHS Aviation B.V., the parent company of VLM, has decided to temporarily reduce its activities on the scheduled airline market and to focus on the flights from Antwerp to London City Airport and Zurich. In addition, VLM will also deploy its aircraft more for private, charter and ACMI flights. VLM will already place one aircraft with fixed crew in the market with The Aviation Factory, the market leader in the Benelux with customised air transport.

“The current aviation sector is so dynamic that it is common for destinations and flight frequencies to be constantly evaluated and adapted according to the season, the performance of existing routes and new opportunities that arise on the market. The performance of the routes is also continuously monitored at VLM. The available aircraft capacity is then deployed on routes and activities that are more in demand and that are profitable “, says Johan Maertens, CEO of VLM.

The connections to Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cologne-Bonn, Maribor, Munich and Rostock will therefore be stopped in the coming weeks and the planned routes from Antwerp and Ostend-Bruges to Manchester will be postponed. Passengers who have already booked for a flight after the termination dates will be informed personally as soon as possible and will receive a full refund of their ticket.

Johan Maertens adds: “At the same time, a fleet reduction will also be implemented. It is no secret that we have been busy preparing the replacement of the Fokker 50 aircraft for some time now. The expected commissioning of the new aircraft is planned for the second half of 2019. ”

Monday, August 6, 2018