Starting in autumn, Air Belgium will commence flights to the United States and Asia.

In November, Air Belgium had decided to make deep cuts in its offer. The Belgian airline canceled almost all flights to the Antilles from March and pointed to the high kerosene prices. As a result, only the connections between Brussels and Mauritius and the connection to South Africa – from Brussels to Johannesburg and Cape Town – which started in September, remain.

Terzakis had previously predicted new destinations. Now the CEO confirms that Air Belgium will start flights to the US and a country in Asia from the coming winter season. The company does not yet want to say to which cities Air Belgium will fly exactly, because the permits are not yet complete, among other things. It is also unclear whether the flights will depart from Brussels or Charleroi.

No decision has yet been made about the possible resumption of flights to the Antilles from the winter – summer is the low season in that region. This will depend, among other things, on the further fall in the price of kerosene, which accounts for more than 40 percent of the price of an airline ticket.

At the end of December it was announced that Air Belgium raised 10 million euros with new loans from shareholders, but the company is looking for additional money. “We are now drawing up a business plan for the next five to six years. And yes, the company will have to recapitalize itself this year,” said Terzakis. The money is needed to expand the fleet and start up new connections. The CEO does not want to say how much capital Air Belgium is looking for. Terzakis says he has “confidence” in a good outcome.

The majority of Air Belgium’s turnover now comes from cargo flights. In addition, it is also active as a charter company, including for cruise lines, the German airline Condor and governments. Air Belgium also secured the flights for the Belgian state visit to South Africa.

Air Belgium also secured the flights for the Belgian state visit to South Africa. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and their entourage took off from the military airport in Melsbroek on Wednesday with an Airbus A330-200 and landed there again on Monday.

This is the third time that the airline has operated flights for the Palace. This was already the case last year for the official visit to Congo and the state visit to Lithuania. The company is “very proud” to be able to supply the Belgian ‘Air Force One’, says Terzakis. “Arriving with a plane in Belgian colors also gives a certain allure to the head of state.”

“There is no question that Air Belgium will have to stop activity this year,” says CEO

Again direct flights between Belgium and South Africa