Air Belgium in 2024

[Passenger]

The original news comes from the ALPGSL itself : https://www.facebook.com/ALPGSLOfficial ... XsyS2jgsxl

An article based on a Facebook post as the only source, just saying…

The source is not Facebook.
The source is the Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka.

[fcw]

The original news comes from the ALPGSL itself : https://www.facebook.com/ALPGSLOfficial ... XsyS2jgsxl

An article based on a Facebook post as the only source, just saying…

The source is not Facebook.
The source is the Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka.

A post on Facebook nevertheless!
The statement made by the Guild is clearly wrong, as the captain didn’t deny boarding, he refused to downgrade one passenger in order to upgrade another one. Anyone having a basic knowledge of airline operations should know a captain is, normally, not involved in the boarding process and is only called to the scene when a problem arises which can’t be handled by cabin crew and ground staff.
"Truth", "accuracy", and "objectivity" are cornerstones of journalism ethics, I have big doubts about all three of these in the Facebook contribution.

[Lux_avi]

The original news comes from the ALPGSL itself : https://www.facebook.com/ALPGSLOfficial ... XsyS2jgsxl

An article based on a Facebook post as the only source, just saying…

The source is not Facebook.
The source is the Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka.

[Lux_avi]

An article based on a Facebook post as the only source, just saying…

The source is not Facebook.
The source is the Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka.

A post on Facebook nevertheless!
The statement made by the Guild is clearly wrong, as the captain didn’t deny boarding, he refused to downgrade one passenger in order to upgrade another one. Anyone having a basic knowledge of airline operations should know a captain is, normally, not involved in the boarding process and is only called to the scene when a problem arises which can’t be handled by cabin crew and ground staff.
"Truth", "accuracy", and "objectivity" are cornerstones of journalism ethics, I have big doubts about all three of these in the Facebook contribution.

Of course fcw. All professionals will understand what happened there and this is just one more show of how low quality media do their work. Just drop it, some people will never be willing to get it anyway.

[TLspotting]

Their article came first though. They had their own sources to develop the story. But the initial news of an incident without its possible abuse was confirmed to us.

[longwings]

The statement made by the Guild is clearly wrong, as the captain didn’t deny boarding, he refused to downgrade one passenger in order to upgrade another one. Anyone having a basic knowledge of airline operations should know a captain is, normally, not involved in the boarding process and is only called to the scene when a problem arises which can’t be handled by cabin crew and ground staff.

It is not inconceivable for an airline employee to displace a fare-paying passenger by policy. So the pilot who could not be upgraded may have considered he was denied boarding because he was denied a seat he was entitled to. It's also likely that a pilot on an ACMI contract would not understand all the nuances of the airline they operate for, and misunderstanding could result.

You are right though that this should be sorted out at the gate with ground staff.

And none of this requires racial intent on anyone's part.

[JOVAN2]

AB to fly to Abidjan for Corsair.
Still flying JFK for LOT.

[Passenger]

OE-LCL (A330-200) will fly for Surinam Airways (Amsterdam-Paramaribo-Amsterdam):

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/oe-lcl

[Established02]

OE-LFC B748 has been on the ground since 05JUN2024, now with engine covers.

OE-LFD B748 just completed a flight to CVG, expectedly for DHL, after having been on the ground since 27MAY2024.

[Passenger]

On 28th June, OE-LCL (A330-200) flying for Surinam Airways had a ground incident at Paramaribo: a collision with a ground vehicle:
https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/suri ... aramaribo/

Later today, PlusUltra EC-NUL (also a A330-200) will position from Madrid to Amsterdam, with a Surinam Airways flight number. So most probably, that PlusUltra EC-NUL will take over from Air Belgium OE-LCL:
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/ec-nul

[Established02]

Since July 1 the fuel stop on Chengdu-Brussels has been moved from Astana to Baku.

[Passenger]

Aviation Invest Holding nv/sa, the initial investor in Air Belgium nv/sa, went into voluntary liquidation.

Belgium's official company register:
https://kbopub.economie.fgov.be/kbopub/ ... =655703469

[Passenger]

On 28th June, OE-LCL (A330-200) flying for Surinam Airways had a ground incident at Paramaribo: a collision with a ground vehicle:
https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/suri ... aramaribo/

After two weeks AOG at Paramaribo, OE-LCL is on her way to Bangor (USA), at FL100:
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airc ... l#36271b75

[sn26567]

On 28th June, OE-LCL (A330-200) flying for Surinam Airways had a ground incident at Paramaribo: a collision with a ground vehicle:
https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/suri ... aramaribo/

After two weeks AOG at Paramaribo, OE-LCL is on her way to Bangor (USA), at FL100:
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airc ... l#36271b75

And scheduled to continue to Bergen-op-Zoom Woensdrecht Air Base today at 16:40 local time (UTC-4) or 22:40 Belgian time (UTC+2).

[longwings]

And scheduled to continue to Bergen-op-Zoom Woensdrecht Air Base today at 16:40 local time (UTC-4) or 22:40 Belgian time (UTC+2).

For parting or repairs? Fokker can do both.
Even if the fuselage sustained severe damage (can't be pressurized), it is obviously structurally sound and only 10 years old so repairs likely imo.

[Passenger]

Judicial news: the trade court has modified the "réorganisation judiciaire par accord amiable" into a "réorganisation judiciaire par accord collectif" (wijziging van de gerechtelijke reorganisatie minnelijk akkoord" naar "gerechtelijke reorganisatie collectief akkoord"). New court date is now 19th Sept 2024.

Tribunal de l'entreprise du Brabant wallon.
Modification de l'objectif de la réorganisation judiciaire de:
AIR BELGIUM SA BCE 0648.801.623 RUE EMILE FRANCQUI 2, 1435 MONT-SAINT-GUIBERT.
Activité commerciale : compagnie aérienne
Numéro d'entreprise : 0648.801.623
Date du jugement : 09/07/2024
Référence : 20230049
Nouvel objectif de la procédure : réorganisation judiciaire par accord collectif
Juge délégué : THIERRY BREUER - adresse électronique est : thierry.breuer @ gmail.com.
Date d'échéance du sursis : 19/09/2024.
Mandataire de Justice : BERNARD VANHAM avocat à 1400 NIVELLES, RUE DE CHARLEROI, 2.
Pour extrait conforme : La greffière, V. Menier.

Source: annexes Belgian State Gazette:
https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_t ... 0648801623

[Passenger]

Air Belgium has published it’s annual account 2023:
https://consult.cbso.nbb.be/consult-ent ... 0648801623

Some key figures:
* Total turnover 156,2M (was 258,8M in 2022)
* Total debts 109M (was 114M in 2022)
* Operational loss -22,2M (was -44,0M in 2022)
* Nett loss from -27,5M (was -44,6M in 2022)
* Cumulated loss 31/12/2023 -119,1M (was -91,6M on 31/12/2022)
* Own assets (eigen vermogen capitaux propres) 31/12/2023 -68M (négatifs/negatief) (was -41M on 31/12/2022)
* Invested capital remains unchanged at 50,6M

And as always, the annual account has a lof of relevant info, other then Euros. Copy/paste from the annual account:

Sur l’exercice 2023, le chiffre d’affaires total s’élève à 134.407.749,29 EUR (dont 33.265.149,12 EUR relatifs à l’opération de vols passagers réguliers et 101.142.600,17 relatifs aux opérations ACMI et Charter) en comparaison avec un chiffre d’affaires total en 2022 de 228.782.168,25 EUR (dont 53.247.216,45 EUR relatifs à l’opération de vols passagers réguliers et 175.534.951,80 relatifs aux opérations ACMI et Charter). La diminution de ce chiffre d’affaires est liée à l’arrêt de l’activité déficitaire des vols passagers réguliers combinée à l’indisponibilité d’un des deux avions A330-941 NEO depuis août 2023 suite à un incident technique.
A noter également que des provisions de coûts exceptionnels liés aux sorties des 4 avions passagers en 2024 (voir infra) ont été comptabilisées en 2023 pour un total de 7.476.928 EUR.

La Société prévoit la sortie de flotte de ses 4 avions passagers en 2024:
A330-941 NEO : OO-ABG = mars 2024
A330-941 NEO : OO-ABF = fin octobre 2024
A330-243 CEO : OE-LAC = fin juin 2024
A330-243 CEO : OE-LCL = septembre 2024
L’intention de la Société est de remplacer ces avions sortant de flotte par des A330-200/300 CEO et des discussions sont actuellement en cours avec plusieurs Lessors.

Suite à sa réorganisation et à son recentrage sur des activités non-déficitaires, la Société est à nouveau rentable pour la période de janvier 2024 à avril 2024.

- - - - - -

However: on pages 47-51 from the annual account (see link above), Commissioner Forvis Mazars (réviseurs d’entreprises - bedrijfsrevisoren) comments the annual account with an “Abstention d’opinion” / Onthoudende verklaring. The Professional organization ICCI explains such statement in general: Le commissaire n’est pas en mesure de recueillir des éléments probants suffisants et appropriés pour pouvoir déterminer si les comptes annuels pris dans leur ensemble ne comportent pas d’anomalies significatives. En outre, il considère l’impact potentiel de cette limitation (limitation scope) comme étant significatif et diffus sur les comptes annuels. De commissaris is niet in staat om voldoende en geschikte controle-informatie te verkrijgen teneinde te concluderen of de jaarrekening als geheel vrij is van een afwijking van materieel belang. Bovendien beschouwt de commissaris de mogelijke effecten op de jaarrekening van deze beperking zowel als van materieel belang voor, als van diepgaande invloed op, de jaarrekening.

[longwings]

However: on pages 47-51 from the annual account (see link above), Commissioner Forvis Mazars (réviseurs d’entreprises - bedrijfsrevisoren) comments the annual account with an “Abstention d’opinion” / Onthoudende verklaring.

"Disclaimer of Opinion" in English. Worth noting on the next page Mazars explains the basis for the disclaimer is their inability to determine whether the airline is a "going concern" (likely to be around in 12 months' time) because the restructuring plans are not ready. So that means they are not questioning the 2023 financial statements, but also the airline will not survive another year without fresh capital (I know, not a surprise!).

Thanks for posting this.

[Passenger]

Judicial news: the trade court has modified the "réorganisation judiciaire par accord amiable" into a "réorganisation judiciaire par accord collectif" (wijziging van de gerechtelijke reorganisatie minnelijk akkoord" naar "gerechtelijke reorganisatie collectief akkoord"). New court date is now 19th Sept 2024.
Source: annexes Belgian State Gazette:
https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_t ... 0648801623

Press release Air Belgium, as reported on the homepage here:

Air Belgium’s judicial reorganisation to conclude in September
The judicial reorganisation process (PRJ according to its French acronym) for Air Belgium, which has been ongoing for nearly a year, will conclude on September 19, the airline announced on Monday.
The PRJ began on September 25 last year, when Air Belgium ceased its unprofitable passenger flights to South Africa and Mauritius from October 3. The Nivelles business court granted the airline several extensions to present its future plan negotiated with creditors and to reorganise its operations.
In May, the court extended the deadline to August 20 to allow further negotiations with remaining creditors and to finalise the company’s restructuring. This included replacing A330-900 and A330-200 aircraft with more economical models, implementing a new business model (ACMI and freight), reducing overhead costs, partially reallocating staff to new activities, and renegotiating commercial contracts.
Air Belgium will utilise the maximum 12-month legal duration for a PRJ. The airline clarified that this is not an extension but the legal deadline for the reorganisation procedure.
Additionally, discussions are ongoing with a potential new investor, but details remain confidential as negotiations continue.
https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/air- ... september/

1. Good to know it will be finalized by 19th September, though they could ask for an exceptional 6 month extention. But then, it's not a friendly reorganization anymore: only the judicial administrator is in charge since 09th July 2024.
2. Not a word about when they will refund the Thousands of passengers and the travel trade. It's thanks to their money that Air Belgium can pay for the fuel and the salaries. Refund on 20th September???
3. Strange they are talking about "a potential new investor". Why looking for external help, because they already have powerfull shareholders for a capital increase?

[Lux_avi]

Judicial news: the trade court has modified the "réorganisation judiciaire par accord amiable" into a "réorganisation judiciaire par accord collectif" (wijziging van de gerechtelijke reorganisatie minnelijk akkoord" naar "gerechtelijke reorganisatie collectief akkoord"). New court date is now 19th Sept 2024.
Source: annexes Belgian State Gazette:
https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_t ... 0648801623

Press release Air Belgium, as reported on the homepage here:

Air Belgium’s judicial reorganisation to conclude in September
The judicial reorganisation process (PRJ according to its French acronym) for Air Belgium, which has been ongoing for nearly a year, will conclude on September 19, the airline announced on Monday.
The PRJ began on September 25 last year, when Air Belgium ceased its unprofitable passenger flights to South Africa and Mauritius from October 3. The Nivelles business court granted the airline several extensions to present its future plan negotiated with creditors and to reorganise its operations.
In May, the court extended the deadline to August 20 to allow further negotiations with remaining creditors and to finalise the company’s restructuring. This included replacing A330-900 and A330-200 aircraft with more economical models, implementing a new business model (ACMI and freight), reducing overhead costs, partially reallocating staff to new activities, and renegotiating commercial contracts.
Air Belgium will utilise the maximum 12-month legal duration for a PRJ. The airline clarified that this is not an extension but the legal deadline for the reorganisation procedure.
Additionally, discussions are ongoing with a potential new investor, but details remain confidential as negotiations continue.
https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/air- ... september/

1. Good to know it will be finalized by 19th September, though they could ask for an exceptional 6 month extention. But then, it's not a friendly reorganization anymore: only the judicial administrator is in charge since 09th July 2024.
2. Not a word about when they will refund the Thousands of passengers and the travel trade. It's thanks to their money that Air Belgium can pay for the fuel and the salaries. Refund on 20th September???
3. Strange they are talking about "a potential new investor". Why looking for external help, because they already have powerfull shareholders for a capital increase?

Oh, you’ve surfed the internet again!