December 2006

Macquarie Airports has found itself embroiled in a controversy after its 70% owned Brussels Airport announced it would raise landing fees levied on airlines by 34 per cent from April. The move reflects increased security costs at the airport that have been mandated by the Belgian government. The Belgian state still owns the other 30% of the airport. The Belgian government's decision to expand a top-security area led to the higher costs. The group is working to reduce airport fees, especially in Europe, which has 15 of the 25 most expensive airports in the world. Travellers taking flights from Brussels Airport will pay 23,49 euros instead of the current 22,44 euros. Brussels Airport last year agreed to offer airlines a stable regulated tariff system, only allowing for fee increases through indexation or because of security changes demanded by the government. Brussels ranked as the 19th most expensive among major airports in a 2005 Transport Research Laboratory study. Sources: The Sydney Morning Herald & La Dernière Heure

On December 27th,  the Chilean Air Force (FACh) celebrated the withdrawal from use of its last 17 operational former Belgian Air Force upgraded Mirage 5M Elkan fighter-bombers after 12 years of operations. They are being replaced by new US-build F-16 and second-hand upgraded Dutch F-16AM/BM fighters. The original batch of 20 Mirage 5M Elkan had accumulated in FACh more than 12,500 hours of flight at Antofagasta based Grupo de Aviación Nº 8 and flew for the last time the day before their withdrawal ceremony at Grupo de Aviación Nº 10 Pudahuel. The Commander in Chief of FACh General Ricardo Ortega said the Mirage 5M "are in good condition but no longer meet our needs". It is also reported that the 18 surviving M-5M airframes would be offer for sale in 2007. Sources: www.fach.cl   -  Periodista Digital  -   El Mostrador   -  Prensa Latina

On December 27th the press reported the sabotage of Ultra Light Motorized (ULM) airplane Coyote OO-C31 at Hannut airfield by cutting some parts of the upper wing revetment. Police is actively searching for information about this unusual case of vandalism at a Belgian airfield. Source: Het Belang van Limburg and picture.

SABCA develops and produces the lower structure of the first stage for the new European small launcher VEGA. It consists in a large cylindrical ring, with a diameter of 3 m and a height of 70 cm. The ring is made from one single forged aluminium part. This lower structure supports the weight of the whole launcher, houses electronic boxes and cables as well as batteries and actuators of the steering system of the first stage. The qualification tests for these parts have been successfully performed by SABCA in its Brussels plant. The ring structure for the first flight model will be delivered by SABCA during the first part of 2007. SABCA also develops and will deliver the control and actuations systems for all four stages of the VEGA launcher.  The first flight of the launcher VEGA is scheduled for 2008. Source: http://www.sabca.com/news_vega_tests.htm

Thick and persistent fog starting in the early evening of Saturday December 23rd had caused the cancellation on December 24th of all flights operated by Ryanair from Charleroi Brussels South Airport. Only two flights, one to Casablanca (jet4you) and the other, to Bucharest (Blue Air) were diverted to Brussels Airport. Passengers returning from destination airports landed at Liege Airport before being transferred by coach to Charleroi. Flights resumed normally on December 26th. This critical situation, which lasted over 24 hours, has highlighted the urgent need to install a Category III landing system at Charleroi Brussels South. Contacts are currently being made with Belgocontrol management for the implementation of this project. The system could be installed in 2007 and enter into service in 2008. Source:www.Charleroi-Airport.com

Brussels Airlines is to modify its logo before the company becomes operational in March of next year. The airline, which is being formed by the merger of Virgin Express and SN Brussels Airlines, is to add an extra ball to its thirteen-ball B-shaped logo (symbolizing a runway and a “B” for both Brussels and Belgium), amid concerns that thirteen is an unlucky number. The company's spokesman Geert Sciot told the papers that the airline started to get calls and emails for superstitious potential passengers expressing their concerns about the logo. The Italians and the Americans were particularly concerned about the "unlucky" thirteen balls. Source: VRT Nieuws. Thirteen balls: picture and then there were fourteen:picture....

The Central European low-cost carrier Sky Europe plans to expand its services from Brussels Airport. Since last year Sky Europe operates direct flights between Brussels and the Polish city of Krakow.  The attractive offer on this typical city trip destination does extremely well, which is why the frequency was increased from three to four weekly flights in the winter season. Sky Europe has also announced that as of the coming summer season they will also offer low-fare flights to other destinations from Brussels. As of March 26th, 2007 the airline will operate a three weekly service to Prague, a four weekly service to Budapest and a daily service to Vienna. Source: http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/news/newsItems/210885

On December 21st, the global Dutch express and mail delivery services company TNT and leasing company Guggenheim Aviation Partners (GAP) celebrated the delivery at Liège Bierset airport - in the fog - of both companies' first 747-400ER Freighter OO-THA at 16h25 local. The aircraft flew in from Boeing Field, USA. It will be put into service by TNT Express, from its Liège Bierset European hub. TNT will add three other 747-400ER Freighter to its fleet, the next one OO-THB in spring 2007, also in cooperation with GAP. Source: Boeing.

The delivery of the first A400M European military transport aircraft Horizontal Tail Plane took place on December 20th, at the A400M final assembly line located in the EADS CASA San Pablo facility at Seville (Spain). It is the first A400M component delivered to Seville where assembly, integration, and flight testing of aircraft will take place. It has been designed and manufactured by EADS CASA in collaboration with Airbus Spain and a number of other industrial partners including CTRM, Airbus Military¹s programme partner in Malaysia. The seven A400M ordered by Belgium are intended to replace from 2018 onwards the C-130H Hercules of Air Component's N°15 Transport Wing/Tactical Transport Flight (TTF or ex-20 Squadron). Source: http://www.airbusmilitary.com/press.html

On December 20th, Boeing B737 N325AW landed at around 21h00 at Liège-Bierset. This aircraft should join from mid-January 2007 the Bierset based passengers/cargo fleet of TNT Airways as OO-TNJ. Picture at Airliners.net http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1022540/L/ Source: Luchtzak

On December 20th, four student fighter pilots and three student transport pilots of the Belgian Air Component have received their wings during a ceremony organized at the French Armée de l¹Air "base aérienne 705" at Tours. This was the second mixed (French-Belgian) (see BAHA News of May 22nd, 2006) promotion to graduate in the framework of the mutual training programme. The future Belgian fighters will now transfer at the French base of Cazaux to start their Initial Operational Training at the command of the Alpha Jet 1B+ of the "Advanced Jet Training School" (AJeTS) while their transport colleagues will come back home and join the N°15 Wing at Melsbroek to follow a C-130H Hercules conversion course. Deputy Commander of the Air Component, Colonel Patrick Demortier, attended the ceremony presided by the French General Pierre Niclot. The ceremony ended with a fly by of four Alpha Jet and four Embraer EMB121 Xingu. Source: Armée de l'Air. & Pictures

The sale of 14 stored Belgian F-16AM/BM to Jordan is being processed. The contract should be signed very soon. The Jordan Letter of Intent for a total of 22 MLU modernized F-16A/B fighters (8 Dutch & 14 Belgians aircraft) was signed at Amman by prince Faisal Bin al Hussein, Dutch State Secretary of Defence, Cees Van der Knaap, and the Belgian Chief of the Material Resources of the Belgian Army (DG-MR), Lt.-Gen. Jacques De Winter and publicly announced on April 20th, 2006 (See BAHA News of April 2Oth, 2006). Several F-16’s (incl. FA-61 & FA-73) were observed earlier this month at Weelde DisC Mat being prepared for their ferry flight to the N°10 and N°2 Wing Maintenance Groups for an in depth technical inspection. Such an inspection with eventual adaption to the customer requirements should last about 18 months. The Jordan pilots should arrived next year in Belgium for a complete conversion on the type before ferrying their aircraft home in late 2007 and early 2008. The price of this deal is still unknown but will surely be a welcome input into the Belgian defence budget. The aircraft involved in the deal should be F-16AM: FA-58, FA-60, FA-61, FA-65, FA-66, FA-73, FA-74, FA-75, FA-76, FA-78, FA-88, FA-90 and F-16BM: FB-01, FB-08. The Jordan Government might even be interested in two more Belgian F-16AM's but only time will tell

The Walloon region is to use its Wespavia Holding Company to recapitalize the Gosselies based aerospace company Sonaca with 25 millions Euro, increasing its participation in the company's capital from 84 to 89%. With its work on the Airbus program, Falcon 7X and Embraer Regional Jet programs, Sonaca needs cash to enlarge its plants, improve its R&D and production process with automated systems (see also BAHA News of May 30th, 2005). Source: La Libre & De Gentenaar.

As was the was the case for the new Dingo 2 MPPV (Multipurpose protected vehicle) (see BAHA News of November, 29th, 2006) the Belgian Defence Direction of Material Resources has also tested at Melsbroek air base the loading of one of the brand new Iveco Light Multirole Vehicles (LMV) (More information at Defense-Update.) into an N° 15 Wing C-130H Hercules tactical transport aircraft. The first 35 units of this lightweight (5.5 tons!) armoured 4x4 and aero transportable vehicles will be delivered to the Belgian Army by June 2007. Source: Mil. be NL  & FR.

Former Evere North - King Albert 1st Barracks gate guardian Republic RF-84F Thunderflash FR-29 of 42 Squadron is now stored in the "German" hangar at Florennes air base. BAHA picture. Former USAF aircraft 51-11279, this recce bird was delivered to Belgian Air Force on August 1963 and withdrawn from use on October 1971. Stored at Koksijde it was later transferred as gate guardian at the Air Force Headquarters at Evere. As follow on to the MoU signed by Belgium and NATO on December 8th, 2004 the Evere North - King Albert 1st Barracks has been abandoned and will become the location of the brand new NATO Headquarter. All the historical buildings - as the Art Deco famous Avia Palace - of what was once upon a time the Haren (Brussels) Airport will be demolished in the process... (see BAHA Special Feature "The endangered HAREN terminal/aérogare buildings ".

On December 18th, dense fog at Koksijde air base forced the crew of the 40 Sqn Sea King helicopter RS-05, coming back from a training mission, to land at the Ster der Zee parking place, along the coastline, between Sint Idesbald and Koksijde stations. Without improvement in visibilities it was decided to let the appropriately guarded helicopter at the parking for the night. The helicopter returned to its home base on December 19th. Sources: 7sur7 and VRT Nieuws. Thanks to Wim Houquet some superb pictures are available at the official BAHA Forum.

The Aeronautical Department of the Royal Army Museum, better known as the Brussels Air Museum, should close its doors for a period of an estimated four years. The long awaited complete refurbishment of the Air Museum hall now seems to be  underway after the official request for tender published in the Belgian Monitor on June 9th, 2006. The Museum is now slowly but surely preparing to move its entire aircraft collection to the Royal Army Museum’s Vissenaken storage facility. Not to say that the careful dismantling and transport of these historically very important birds will be a truly difficult challenge for the personnel involved. At the same time it is also said that the future display will be refocused on Belgian and military aircraft. Most of the foreign and/or civil aircraft are not to be reintegrated into the famous hall.

On December 15th, the Fouga CM170R Magister MT-26 (c/n 283) made its last flight. The flying crew of the day being the Beauvechain Base Commander, Colonel Thierry Deschrevel, and the 7 Squadron Commanding Officer, Lt.-Col. Paul Rorive. End December 2006 only three Fouga Magister are reported still airworthy in the 7 Sqn (MT35, MT40 and MT48). These vintage aircraft will be retired in the next months with the last one in September 2007. The very last solo display on this fine machine should be held at the Belgian Defence Days 2007 at Koksijde Airbase on June 30th and July 01st, 2007. Pictures and complete report http://www.sbap.be/fouga/last/mt26.htm

After a series of audits, networking, a lot of work on the side of the airport management (See also BAHA News of December 6th, 2006) and its employees and with the full support of the Flemish Government, Antwerp-Brussels North Airport received its "Aerodrome Certificate - annex 14" (link to ASA) from the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority on December 15^th..  This certificate is a first step forward for the future of the Antwerp city Airport. Sources: ASA, Gazet van Antwerpen & Luchtvaartnieuws.nl

The Brussels based handling company, Aviapartner Group, has obtained an extension of its handling licence at Liege Airport, for a period of 4 years. The concession is in two parts: the ramp licence for passenger flight (including the baggage sorting area) and the licence for cargo flights. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws.nl

Answering a MP question, Minister of Transport and Mobility, M. Renaat Landuyt, presented on December 14th the figures issued from a official report revealing the number of annual emergency landings at Brussels Airport between 2003 and 2006 but did not release the name of the companies or the types of planes most involved. In 2003  Brussels Airport was placed on high alert with fire-fighting personnel  deployed in  113 cases to assist landings. The same scenario took place 127 times in 2004 and 98 times in 2005. Over 60 landing alerts have already been reported during the first half of year 2006. Finally and definitely the most important, no passengers were hurt nor killed during these landing under high alert but a few injuries were reported during the evacuation of planes Sources: Expatica & Het Laatste Nieuws .

Two days after the roll out of its Sea King RS-03 adorned with an appropriate giant tail sticker (see BAHA News of December 12th, 2006), N° 40 Squadron celebrated on December 14th, 30 years of Westland Sea King Mk.48 helicopter in Belgian service by organizing a small meeting and a fly by/air demonstration over Koksijde air base. This fly by involved no less than five helicopters: three Sea King (RS-01, RS-03, RS-05) as well as two Alouette III (M-2 and M-?) of the Heliflight. Pictures of this event are available in the homepage of our colleagues of the Spotting Group Koksijde: . From the same source we also learned that this fly by was probably one of the last flight of Sea King RS-01, this aircraft having only a few airframe flying hours left. RS-02 is in maintenance since April 2006 and is reported still presenting serious vibration problems while RS-04 came back home from SABCA plant on November 24th and is expected to be back on the flightline on January 2007. Source: www.airshows.be

In March 2007 the International Airport will celebrate its 90th anniversary and our friends of the Flanders Aviation Society (http://www.fas-expo.cjb.net/) will mark the occasion with an Open Door on Sunday 25th of March 2007 and other activities including a special exhibition at the OC - Bibliotheek between 17 - 31 March and a discussion evening on Friday 23rd March at Zaal Leiedale. Click here to see the celebration poster.

The first batch of Flap Support Assemblies for the new A400M European large military tactical transport freighter is leaving this week the SABCA Brussels plant for delivery to the Airbus wings assembly line in Filton (UK). The full wing will later be sent to Sevilla (Spain) for mating with the fuselage. The development of these elements requested from the SABCA Engineering Office lengthy adaptations and optimizations of the design to meet stringent loads and mass requirements. SABCA Limburg is also very active on the A400M and has been awarded a contract for the production of the composite skins of the flaps. The first flight of the certification program of A400M should take place in 2008 followed by a first delivery to France in October 2009. Seven A400M will replace the ageing Belgian Air Component C-130H Hercules fleet from 2018. Source: Sabca.

Europe's largest low-cost airline Ryanair has announced a reorganisation of its links with six new routes and an increased frequency, but it is also cutting six routes. Among these new routes there is a link Charleroi Brussels South-London Stansted, while among the routes being dropped is Charleroi Brussels South-Salzburg (Austria). Cancelled in April 2004 the Charleroi-London route will be reopened from June 1st 2007 with four flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays. Sources: La Libre.be and De Standaard online.

AG Port Oostende (Link) and Zeebrugge MBZ (Link) harbours operators together with a public local development Company Wvi (West-Vlaamse Intercommunale - link) and a private partner have informed the Flemish Government their interest in taking over the Oostende-Brugge airport. Sources: De Standaard online and 7sur7. 

On the 24th of March SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express will execute their last flight, to make way for Brussels Airlines on the 25th of March. For the very last time and under the slogan "everything must go" SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express have a joint sales action. Until December 18th, Virgin Express offers one way tickets to all it’s destinations at € 49,99 all in, and SN Brussels Airlines offers a selection of 30 destinations for € 59 all in one way.
 Source EN: SN Brussels Airlines  

As from now, passengers of SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express can check in from their own PC and print out their boarding pass at home or at the office. At the airport, they can go straight through border control & security to the gate. SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express are the first Belgian airlines to put this service in place. As from 24 hrs until 1 hr before departure, all SN Brussels Airlines & Virgin Express passengers can register themselves - and even select their seat - and those travelling with them through the websites from both companies and immediately print out their boarding pass. Source: SN Brussels Airlines.  

To celebrate 30 years of Westland Sea King Mk.48 helicopter operations in Belgian service, N° 40 Squadron has adorned the tail of the aircraft RS-03 with a giant sticker. The five Belgian Air Force Sea Kings arrived in formation flight at Koksijde air base on November 8th, 1976. The type was declared operational with 40 Squadron on April 1st; 1977.the sticker on the RS03 commemorates this event. Source and pictures: Forum Seaking-Koksijde.be.

Answering a Member of Parliament question on rumours of a relocation of the Belgian Air Cadets' Zoersel Squadron to another platform in 2007, Defence Minister André Flahaut, only confirmed that no decision has been taken yet but that various options are being considered. It is rumoured that the two possible airfields for such relocation are the airfields of Brasschaat near Antwerp and Bertrix in the Ardennes. The Belgian Air Cadets counts currently four flying squadrons based at Zoersel-Oostmalle, Weelde, Florennes and Goetsenhoven. The reserve air base of Zoersel-Oostmalle (EBZR - link on Scramble), is mainly used for recreational purposes and houses an Air Cadet unit since May 1961.  Source: La Chambre /De Kamer .

Barco, the Kortrijk based leading global provider of visual display systems for simulation and training, presented a projection solution for the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR - link http://www.nlr.nl/). Barco Presentation & Simulation will upgrade NLR’s F-16 pilot training simulator, supplying two SIM6 Ultra II LCD-based projectors to replace the end-of-life GE Talaria light valves projectors. As part of its research, NLR features the Generic Fighter Operations Research Cockpit Environment (GFORCE), a sophisticated military simulator. Configured for research and development primarily for the F-16, the GFORCE makes use of two projectors: the first to project background imagery, the second to project a high resolution central image. Tracking devices in the pilot’s helmet keep the pictures moving inside the dome with stunning realism, providing an almost 360 degrees horizontal and 120 degrees vertical visual scene for the pilot. Source:  Barco.

Liège-Bierset Airport operator SAB has already announced an expected small profit of about 40.000 EUR for the year 2006. Nonetheless it is also important to quote the 2.0 million EUR annual financial charge supported by the airport for the reimbursement of its new terminal, inaugurated in 2005. The number of passengers served at the airport in 2006 will be of 305.000 compared to 240.000 over 2005 while the cargo-volume handled at the airport grew with 24% to 405.000 tons. Soon, a new platform able to handle up to 4 Boeing 747 will be soon be inaugurated. This new infrastructure is mainly dedicated for the new leased B-747 freighters of the Bierset based TNT Express (see AirCargo World Online). The arrival of the first of these new aircraft - B747-400ERF (OO-THA) - is expected at Liège-Bierset on December 21st, 2006 at noon (see BAHA Forum). Source: La Libre.be.  

The passenger growth at Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA - Wiki link) is unsurpassed elsewhere in Belgium since 2001 and has been achieved as a result of Europe's low-cost airline Ryanair investment in aircraft and international advertising to promote low fare flights to and from the platform. With the achievement of the new terminal currently expected to open in 2007 and the possible extension of the runway (see BAHA News of November 13th, 2006), for the next three years Ryanair expects to raise its annual Charleroi traffic from 2.3 millions passengers to 5 millions on. Source: De Standaard .

On December 7th, Federal Minister of Transport and Mobility, M. Renaat Landuyt, has appointed M. Jules Kneepkens as new General Director of the Air Transport Administration. M. Kneepkens is a recognized international expert aviation policy. Fluent in Dutch French, German and English heads currently the Dutch Ministry of Transport General. Transport and Aviation Directorate. Sources: Federal Government NL  & Press release NL and Federal Government FR. & Press release FR

Most of the 50 personnel of the 80 Sqn UAV deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) came back home with the large Belgian delegation present at Kinshasa for the inauguration of the country's first elected President, M. Joseph Kabila. Their mission ended on the evening of November 30th. Despite some difficulties and accidents (see BAHA News of November 11th) they provided instant imaging to EUFOR DR Congo (see also Baha News of 12/07, 28/07, 03/08 and 12/09) participating the rather smooth running of the electoral process. During their deployment to the DRC the Belgian B-Hunter UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) have flown over 80 missions accounting for over 324 flying hours observing 152 targets in the Kinshasa region. Between the December 4th and 6th, their material was convoyed to the port of Boma and loaded onto the boats that are returning to Europe. The 80 Sqn UAV's should  not be deployed in 2007. Source: De Gentenaar & DigitalCongo.net & La Libre

SN Brussels Airlines considerably increases its flight offer between the European capital and Budapest. As from 19th of February, the flight schedule between Brussels and the Hungarian capital will be optimized thanks to additional daily flights and the use of larger aircraft. You will find more info in the attached press release. Source and more information: SN Brussels Airlines.

The Director of  Antwerp-Deurne Airport, M. Eddy Cleirbaut, has requested the Federal Aviation Directorate more clarity concerning his airport certificate. These concerns are linked to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety rules and the cutting of some trees at the top of the nearby Fort from Borsbeek. Source: Gazet van Antwerpen

On December 6th, the Walloon Government has allocated a total budget of 500 millions EUR for the acquisition or insulation of houses located in the noisiest areas near the regional airports of Charleroi-Gosselies and Liège-Bierset. Up to now the Société Wallonne des Aéroport (SOWAER) has already acquired 1.245 houses (1.132 near Bierset and 113 near Gosselies) and insulated some 1.201 others (869 near Bierset and 332 near Gosselies) in the so-called zones A and B of the regional Noise Exposition Plan. This drastic and unusual measure was taken on one hand to protect the population against noise pollution and on the other hand to maintain a vital economic activity. Sources: Walloon Government and Het Laatste Nieuws

The winner of the Ministry of Defence tender procedure for the acquisition of a number of Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) to help localise crews of F-16, C-130H, Alouette II and Alpha Jet aircraft (see BAHA News of June 8th, 2006) is the Ostend based company Clemaco Trading (link: http://www.clemaco.com/) for a reported price of 757.279,15 EUR (VAT excl.)  Source: http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/

The European Commission has called on Belgium to amend its state aid scheme for research and development (R&D) in the aeronautical sector so that it falls in line with EU rules. Between 2002 and 2006, the Belgian scheme provided aid totalling €82.5 million for the R&D activities of 10 companies in the aeronautical sector. Of this sum, a total of €41 million went to TechSpace Aero, which the Commission said, had exceeded the thresholds laid down in the EU state aid framework for R&D. The Commission also found that the grant repayment system in the Belgian scheme was not in keeping with standard EU practice and had created an unfair advantage for Belgian companies which had to be redressed. The Belgian authorities have agreed to amend the aid awarded under this scheme by 31 December. In particular, it will have to reduce the aid awarded to Techspace Aero to €32 million from €41.3 million. Sources UK, NL & FR.

Belgian professional photographer Tom D'Haenens has spent a year with a full free access clearance to the Brussels Airport facilities. The result of his work is now published by Lannoo Publishing Group and presents aviation freaks a unique inside view of the Belgian main airport.  Brussels Airport, by Tom D'Haenens. Text from Lies van den Berghe. Editors Lannoo. Price: 55,95 euros, ISBN: 978-90-209-6811-8, Size:330 x 330, 224 pages.  Source: Lannoo & DH Net

Jetairfly , the charter airline of the Belgian tour operator Jetair, has already announced it will offer daily flights from Ostend Airport for summer season2007 towards the Greek islands of Corfu and Kos. Furthermore it will increase some frequencies of already existing destinations like Alicante, Mallorca, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. For this purpose two aircraft will be based at Ostend airport. Source: LuchtvaartNieuws

On December 5th, VLM Airlines celebrated a significant milestone by carrying its four millionth passenger (Mr Marc Boelens) through its main hub at London City Airport. The carrier is the first airline at London City to pass the four-million mark - underlining its leading position at the airport in London Docklands and the growing popularity of the facility for short-haul business travellers. Source: VLM  

Deployed since early November to Afghanistan, as part of the Belgian contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), N°15 Transport Wing detachment is working hard in harsh winter condition. The Tactical Transport Flight (ex 20 Sqn) detachment in Afghanistan - composed of 16 people and one Lockheed C-130H Hercules (CH-08) - is an important element of the tactical transport means allocated to ISAF by Nato countries. The tasks of the detachment are reported various going from humanitarian flights, the supplying of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) to VIP and reporters teams transport. During the last three weeks the detachment has already performed about 50 flying hours and transported no less than 1200 people and 67 tons of goods and material. Source: FR & NL.

In 2007 Florennes will celebrate its sixty anniversary as Belgian Air Force base. The decision to establish the then N°161 Wing an future N°2 Wing at Florennes dated from July 28th, 1947. Various celebrations, events and exposition will be organised between June 2nd and July 21st, 2007. All details can be obtained in the brand new Florennes air base 60th anniversary home page: www.florennesbase.be  - TAÏAUT.

Between December 4th and 15th the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) F-16 from Kleine Brogel was guest at BA11 Beja AB in Portugal for a training session of 7 new pilots that joined the squadron earlier this year. During this deployment the student attained their Basic Fighter Maneuver Training (BFM) qualification that is part of their entire training package they will receive in the OCU. See BAHA Special Feature "BFM training for OCU pilots in Beja":

While proceeding ground cleaning up works on the site of the company Total Belgium in Rieme/Evergem along the well named Bombardment Street (!), the workers discovered an unexploded WWII aircraft bomb. Such discoveries are not exceptional. Nonetheless this one forced the evacuation of nearly 250 families and employees of about 20 companies of the considered area. The Bomb Disposal unit of the Belgian Armed Forces (SEDEE/DOVO) had to remove the weapon. Source: De Morgen

Blue Air, the Rumanian low cost carrier, which has started on November 29th, four weekly flights between Bucharest and Charleroi Brussels-South (link: Charleroi Airport.com) claims a firm booking of 85%. The launch of this new destination is very timely for the Rumanian market. On January 1st, 2007, Rumania will effectively join the European Union. Source: Het Laatste Nieuws 

As already announced (see BAHA News of November 22nd, 2006) after the controversial project of Moroccan low-cost airline, Jet4you to establish a flight service between Brussels-South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) and Liège-Bierset Airport (SAB- Liège), the Federal Minister of Transport and Mobility, M. Renaat Landuyt, has proposed the regional authorities a project of decree banning regular flights of aircraft over 5700 kg on a distance smaller than 150 km. This decree should be applicable from April 2007. Sources FR: La Libre and Gazet Van Antwerpen.  

December 1st, 2006, saw the disbandment at Koksijde air base of the Basic Rotary Wing Training (BRWT) flight followed by the transfer of its last three SA.318C Alouette II (A-55, A-57 & A-78) to Wing Heli at Bierset. Once upon a time main flying unit of the Brasschaat based School of Light Aviation (Sch Lt Avn), the BRWT moved with a handful of SA.318C Alouette II, instructor pilots, technicians and student pilots to Koksijde after the disbandment of its parent unit in late June 2006 (see BAHA News of May 12th and BAHA Special Feature). The BRWT last task was the training of two young pilots and the helicopter conversion of a confirmed fighter pilot and future Seaking pilot. The Air Component new promotions of helicopter pilots are receiving their basic helicopter training at the EEALAT at Dax in France in the framework of the French-Belgian pilots training agreement.

On December 1st, in the framework of the celebration of their fifty anniversary, the 17 and 18 Sqn MRH of Bierset based Wing Heli offered Brussels landmark statue Manneken-Pis ("little man piss" in English link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis) an appropriately sized pilot's flying suit. The two units were established in Germany as Army Light Aviation squadrons attached to the 1st Corps: the 17 Smd Lt Avn at Werl in support of the 1st Infantry Division on June 19th, 1956 and the 18 Smd Lt Avn in support of the 1st Corps Troops at Aachen-Merzbruck on July 3rd, 1956. Sources NL and FR: Pictures on Mil.be

The two month-review of the A400M validated that the program is progressing according to the contractually agreed schedule. However, the program challenges ahead until first delivery in 2009 are assessed as significant. The review has identified some critical risk areas: systems design (like in electrical harnesses), maturity of military mission systems, engine modifications, remaining work to be done on the Final Assembly Line. The review team has therefore proposed detailed mitigating actions. Source: EADS. On the other hand, on November 11th, 2006, the first set of wings for the first A400M military transport aircraft was removed from its assembly jig at Airbus¹ Filton, Bristol, UK site. The wing is the first-ever wing for an Airbus-built aircraft constructed largely from composite materials and is believed to be the largest composite wing ever made. After equipping and full testing, the wings will be delivered to the A400M aircraft final assembly line in Seville, Spain Source: EADS. The seven A400M ordered by Belgium are intended to replace from 2018 onwards the C-130H Hercules of Air Component's N°15 Transport Wing/Tactical Transport Flight (TTF or ex-20 Squadron).

The Flemish Government has allocated Noordzee Helicopters Vlaanderen (NHV) 1.099.612 euro of aid. This amount will be used for the expansion of the company's activities and the creation of 34 jobs. NHV is specialised in all kinds of helicopter transport and helicopter work in Belgium and surrounding countries. The Ostend airport based company also provide flights for the Belgian and Dutch Shipping Pilot Service, VIP's, hospitals, using two AS365N3 Dauphins, two AS365N2 Dauphins, two MD Explorer and one EC120B Colibri and one EC145. (link : http://www.nhv.be/). In the future NHV will provide helicopter maintenance and operate as a spare-parts depot for Eurocopter aircraft in the Benelux. For this purpose NHW will build a new heliport and acquire 4 new helicopters. Source: Vlaanderen.be

Having already participated last week the security above the NATO Riga Summit in Latvia (28-29/11 link: Mod Lithuania) from the Lithuanian air base of Siauliai, Air Component four F-16AMs (FA-98, FA-115, FA-124, FA-133) took over, on December 1st, 2006, at 09h00 local time, NATO's airspace patrol over three Baltic countries (see also BAHA News of November 17th, 2006). They will be replaced by French Force on April 1st , 2007, after the period of four months. The shift ceremony was attended by Defence Minister of Lithuania, M. Juozas Olekas, the Commander of Lithuanian Force, General Major Valdas Tutkus, ambassadors of Spain, Belgium, Latvia, and Estonia, and representatives of Spanish and Turkish air forces. Link: MoD Lithuania. NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer recently assured the three countries that the rotating air-policing mission would continue after 2007, when the current program is set to end. The three countries (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) had asked for an extension of the mission in order to focus on modernizing land forces. link: International Herald Tribune.

With the German EU presidency starting in 2007, SN Brussels Airlines anticipates passenger growth on the Brussels-Berlin route and is adding extra seat capacity and flights. As from January SN Brussels Airlines will operate five daily frequencies between the European capital and the convenient Berlin Tempelhof city airport. All flights are operated on AVRO RJ aircraft. For its part sister company Virgin Express continues its daily evening service to Berlin Schoenefeld. Source: SN Brussels Airlines

November 2006

On November 29th, Russian lawmaker, billionaire industrialist - n° 72 in the world fortune list - and State Duma Deputy Suleiman Kerimov was transported from Marseille to Melsbroek by N°15 Wing Embraer ERJ-135 CE-01. M. Kerimov suffered severe burns after a Ferrari he was driving slammed into a tree and caught fire at Nice on November 25th. At the request of the hospital of Marseille and the Neder-over-Heembeek (Military Hospital) Burn Center, the MoD authorised M. Kerimov emergency medical transfer to Belgium. Questioned about the cost of this operation the Minister of Defence, M. André Flahaut, has announced that the bill will be obviously paid by the patient. Sources FR : DHNet &  NL: BrusselNieuws .

On November, 29th, the 120 workers of Techspace Aero performing in the depot-level maintenance of the F100-PW-200/220/E engines (used in F15 and F16 fighters) went on strike for 24 hours. This historical activity, inherited from the FN Moteurs, represents today only 10% of the company business at should disappear from 2010. The workers fear the dropping of this activity at Herstal/Milmort and its transfer to the Techspace Aero partner, the American leading engine manufacturers Pratt & Whitney. Source: RTBF 

On November 29th, the Belgian Defence Direction of Material Resources has tested at Melsbroek air base the loading of one of the brand new Dingo 2 MPPV (Multipurpose protected vehicle) in its mobile HQ version into an N° 15 Wing C-130H Hercules tactical transport aircraft (CH-10). Twenty Dingo 2 of the Fusilier version will be delivered to the Belgian Defence in December 2006 and January 2007 and should be deployed to Lebanon and in Afghanistan. Source FR & NL.

The EU battlegroups will reach their full operational capability in the beginning of 2007. By then, two 1,500-strong battlegroups will be able to conduct two separate operations simultaneously for 30 days, extendable to 120 days if resupplied. The battlegroups available during the first half of 2007 will be Franco-Belgian and German-Dutch-Finnish, writes Nicholas Fiorenza in the Jane’s Defence Weekly issue of 22 November 2006. A Franco-German-Belgian battlegroup is currently the strategic reserve for the European Force (EUFOR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). EUFOR’s mission in the DRC ends in December, but EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the EUSEC mission to give advice on the restructuring of the Congolese armed forces and the EUPOL police mission would continue. More information on the EU battlegroups can be found in our special feature "Mistral over Crete"

On Sunday 26th November, at Beauvechain air base, Major General Gérard Van Caelenberge, Commanding Officer of the Belgian Air Component and retired Lt. General G. Van Hecke, Belgian Air Cadets President, handed over the Wings to the 75 Officer Cadets (66 boys and 9 girls) of the promotion 2006. See BAHA special feature.

As for Spa-Malchamps airfield (see BAHA News of November 15th, 2006) the Regional Minister in charge of Airport Policy, Mr. André Antoine, has requested the SOWAER (Société WAllonne des AERoports) to produce a call for operation project for the airfield of Saint-Hubert. The current management of this airfield is assumed by the SOWAER and its general maintenance by the Walloon Ministry of Equipment and Transport (MET). Paradise of gliding and home of the Centre National de Vol à Voile, this airfield desperately seeking new (private?) partners as well as investments. The current users of this airfield have already expressed their total dissatisfaction with the airfield management policy a.o. in hangars hiring cost. Sources: Gov. Wallonie and La Libre. 

Completed at the end of September under the responsibility of the ACMT Fuselage (Aircraft Component Management Team) located in Bremen, the first completely assembled fuselage barrel moved from the assembly jigs to the fitting-out bay at the Integrated Fuselage Assembly facility (IFA). The IFA is responsible for assembling and equipping all fuselage sections delivered from all of the A400M airframe production sites (Bremen, Augsburg, Ankara, and Johannesburg). When the whole process is completed, the 32m-long main fuselage barrel is shipped by Beluga to the FAL in Seville where it will be joined-up with the other major structural sub-assemblies at the start of the final production cycle. On September 22nd, 2006 the A400M achieved another contractual milestone with the acceptance by the Customer representatives of the first Class Two cockpit mock-up. This mock-up is an exact replica of the aircraft's operational cockpit. It is essentially a full-scale laboratory designed to test and verify a number of important parameters in the overall cockpit environment, especially the effectiveness of the man-machine interface. The seven A400M ordered by Belgium are intended to replace from 2018 onwards the C-130H Hercules of Air Component's N°15 Transport Wing/Tactical Transport Flight (TTF or ex-20 Squadron). Sources: A400M Countdown.  

The Walloon Region has allocated Techspace Aero of Herstal-Milmort near Liège 15, 6 million euros of refundable advance for the development of a low pressure compressor for the new General Electric GEnx engine which will be used in n the new Boeing B787 Dreamliner and B747-8 (see also BAHA News of June 16th, 2005). Sources: Le Gouvernement Wallon

On November 24th a N° 15 Wing transport aircraft - most probably a C-130H Hercules - has brought back home at Kigali and Bujumbura, a group of Rwandan and Burundian police and army officers having participated the fifth cycle of the Reinforcement of the African Peacekeeping Capacities or RECAMP V  (link: http://www.recamp5.org/). This aircraft was deployed in Africa as part of the Belgian contribution to this international peacekeeping field course organised this year along the Cameroon coast near Douala and baptised Sawa (Seaside) 2006. Sources: Belga, allAfrica.com 1st & allAfrica.com 2nd .

On November 22nd, the Wing Heli organised at its homebase of Bierset a ceremony to honour and decorate its personnel having participated in the recent deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the framework of Operation Blue Bee. From June until October 2006 the Wing Heli has deployed a squad of three Agusta A-109AB Hirundo helicopters (H-06, H-22 & H-41) and  47 support personnel to Mostar air base  (see BAHA News of March 4th, June 6th, June 20th, July 17th, October 4th, November 3rd) as Belgian contribution to the European Stabilisation Force "Althea". Sources Mil. be  - NL & FR & Pictures

22/11 - SN Brussels Airlines elected as Best Short Haul Airline 2006 by "Travel Magazine".

SN Brussels Airlines has been elected as “Best Short Haul Airline 2006” by the Belgian travel industry during the annual Travel Magazine Award Ceremony. Sister company Virgin Express ended as first runner up. On top of that, SN Brussels Airlines was also voted first runner up in the category "Best Long Haul Airline 2006".  Source: SN Brussels Airlines

Following the "ecological" opposition by Walloon Minister of Transport André Antoine, Moroccan budget airline Jet4You will abandon its flights between Casablanca and Liège via Charleroi-Brussels South airport. Source: Het Laatste Nieuws

As first announced by the Aviation Society of Antwerp (ASA) homepage, Antwerp International Airport will be named as from January 7th, 2007 as Brussels-North in the international reservation system. The news was recently confirmed by the Marketing Manager of one of the most important user of Antwerp/Deurne Airport, VLM Airlines. This new designation was adopted to permit a better identification between the three main passengers airports of Belgium: Zaventem - now Brussels International Airport - Charleroi - Brussels South Charleroi Airport - and Antwerp/Deurne - Antwerp Brussels-North Airport. In his rather hilarious text the ASA webmaster also suggest that in future Liège/Bierset Airport might be known as Brussels-East, Ostend/Bruges as Brussels-West and Wevelgem as Brussels-South-West. Sources: Het Belang van Limburg and  http://www.asa-be.com/

Answering Members of Parliament questions the Minister of Defence, M. André Flahaut, has announced that it does not enter the intentions of its department to acquire two new Eagle B-Hunter UAVs as replacement for the two ships lost during the recent deployment to the Democratic Republic of Congo (BH-285 w/o on 28/07/2006 and BH-277 w/o on 03/10/2006 - See linked BAHA News for details). On the other hand, concerning the Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft, CH-02, lost in the Sabena Technics hangar fire of May, 5th, 2006, a procedure of compensation is in hand. The purchase of a second-hand C-130 Hercules of the same generation is also considered (from Australia?). Source: La Chambre/De Kamer

The Belgian Defence (CCMAT Rol - Rocourt) is intending to sell by tender 10 packages of redundant F-16 components.  Packages include such items as Flight Control system, AirData system, Communications system, Navigation system, Weapon system, IFF System, structural parts and landing gear. Source: Mil.be sales NL  -  FR

NATO received its first upgraded Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft under a $1.32 billion Mid-Term Modernization production and retrofit programme. This major mission system upgrade for the Alliance's "eye in the sky" is almost as international as the NATO customer and operator. The project is led by Boeing as prime contractor.  The aircraft was handed over on schedule to NATO officials at the Manching facility of EADS Military Air Systems in Germany. Within this Trans-Atlantic programme EADS is an industry partner to Boeing and will perform the upgrade of the remaining fleet of 16 E-3A AWACS aircraft, based in Geilenkirchen, Germany, by the end of 2008 in Manching. Additionally, Boeing is modifying two NATO AWACS mission simulators into the Mid-Term configuration. Source: Defence Aerospace .com 

BAHA started a Wikipedia type of database for all Belgian Military Aircraft. Have a look here: http://belmilac.wetpaint.com/ .We hope it will grow into a high quality public source of information on Belgian Military Aircraft and the first indications are very positive. If you feel like helping out the group of people who started this adventure do not hesitate to contact daniel.brackx@telenet.be. In no time you will be able to add your information and pictures in a really easy and user friendly way.

A new book called "60 Years of Belgian Air Force Wings 1946/2006 - The Graduated Pilots Promotions 107 to 2003" compiled by Col. Jules Jacobs has been released.  This reference work presents the 132 post war Belgian, USAF and RCAF promotions over 177 pages and includes some 260 illustrations. This interesting study will be the ideal companion to a BAHA publication by Georges Lecomte (release early 2007) covering all promotions preceding the period treated by Jules Jacobs.  More information on ordering "60 Years of Belgian Air Force Wings 1946/2006" can be found here.

The Flemish government will invest next year 1.7 million euro for the airport of Wevelgem. This extra budget will be allocated to the renewal of the airport infrastructures and the establishment of a fire station. Sources:Het Volk, & Focus - WTV .

On November 17th, two A109BA Hirundo helicopters (H-20 & H-45) of the Wing Heli were boarded, with a group of pilots and support personnel, into a leased Antonov An-124-100 strategic air lifter (from NATO Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS) - See BAHA NEWS of March 31st, 2006 with final destination Cotonou (Benin). The purpose of this deployment to Benin was reported to be the support of the recent visit of the Minister of Defence, M. André Flahaut, in the area (Benin, Cameroon, Togo etc.) as well as to demonstrate the capacity of these helicopters to fulfil the Beninian President, Dr Thomas Yayi Boni (http://www.yayi-boni.com/) transport and liaison duties. Some unofficial reports have mentioned the interest of Benin to obtain or purchase four of the Air Component supernumerary A109BA Hirundo helicopters currently stored at the Zutendaal Deposit Center. The personnel of this deployment will be back home on mid December, the helicopter being ferried back home early January 2007.

Aviapartner Handling has successfully completed the development of an internet check-in and a common baggage drop-off system. These systems are designed specifically for charter and low-cost airlines. The first phase of the internet check-in project is currently being tested in Zaventem Brussels Airport. It is now ready to be implemented throughout Aviapartner¹s handling network in the coming months and will be up to full speed before the peak summer season of 2007.  Source: Aviapartner & De Standaard.

The Belgian Council of Ministers has agreed to fulfil once again the request by NATO to maintain an air defence "Quick Reaction Alert" (QRA) at Lithuania in order to guard the airspace over the three Baltic states Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia (Source:  Presscenter : NL: and in FR)  . As between April and July 2004 (see BAHA special feature), a detachment of four Belgian Air Component F-16s will deploy for a period of four months to Zokniai air base near Siauliai (Lithuania). From December 1st, 2006, the Belgian F-16 fighters will replace four Spanish Mirage F-1M aircraft that have been patrolling the air space of the Baltic States for the last four months. The 52 person strong detachment, including pilots, controllers and support personnel, constitutes the eleventh air policing rotation deployed by NATO since the Baltic States joined the Alliance in April 2004. More on NATO Baltic States Interim air policing solution: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_Air_Policing

The bankruptcy of Sabena Airlines in 2001 had caused a rush of collectors on Sabena stamped objects. A similar situation has been quoted recently concerning the Virgin and SNBA stamped items. No public sale of such objects is currently programmed by the two merging airlines. Source:  DH.net

NATO's - Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) 2007 Flying Course schedule was unveiled on  http://www.tlp.be/fb/schedule.htm

• Flying Course 2007-1: 15/01/07 to 09/0207
• Flying Course 2007-2: 05/03/07 to 30/03/07
• Flying Course 2007-3: 07/05/07 to 01/0607 at Karup air base
• Flying Course 2007-4: Runway out
• Flying Course 2007-5: 01/10/07 to 26/10/07
• Flying Course 2007-6: 19/11/07 to 14/12/07

It is therefore expected that at total of four TLP flying sessions would be held at Florennes air base in 2007.

Regional Minister in charge of Airport Policy, Mr. André Antoine, has requested the SOWAER (Société WAllonne des AERoports) to produce for next month a call for operation project for the airfield of Spa-Malchamps. The current management of this airfield by SOWAER cost yearly 500.000 Euros to the Walloon Region. Despite the quality of its infrastructures, Consultant and Development Company CIDE of Meuseinvest has evaluated the needed investments for Spa-Malchamps airfield at 3,7 millions euros, mainly for the construction of new hangars, a petrol station as well as a camping place. The main users of this airfield Heli & Co and Skydive-Center Spa might be interested to take over this airfield operation. Source: La Libre.be

Following the introduction of the new passenger hand baggage restrictions introduced in Europe on November 6th (see BAHA News item on 06/11) controls at Brussels Airport have resulted in the seizure of some 3.200 kg of unauthorised merchandise. Information on the new restrictions: www.brusselsairport.be. Source: La Dernière Heure

Sabena Airline Training Center (SATC) has placed an order for six Diamond DA20-C1, four DA40s and three DA42 Twin Stars. The fleet will be used in SATC¹s flight training program at its new location at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona. Deliveries to Sabena Airline Training Center will begin in January 2007. Source: Diamond Aircraft

While introducing its 19th Fokker 50 baptised "City of Groningen" VLM director Johan Vanneste has said that the successful company was very satisfied with the Fokker. Although a somewhat faster and larger aircraft is on the wish list, replacement of the Fokkers is by no means envisaged. Source: Luchtvaartnieuws

14/11 - Charleroi - Brussels South airport temporarily closed due to gas leak.

All air traffic from and to Charleroi Brussels South airport has been stopped at 13.30 hrs as a result of a gas leak at the nearby Gosselies industrial estate. Some 30 minutes later the gas leak was found and repaired and traffic could resume its normal pace at Belgium's n° 2 airport. Source: 7sur7

The monthly statistics on air traffic and airport movements in Belgium published by Belgocontrol show a 3.18% overall increase (+2.904 movements up to 94.129) compared to the same period one year earlier. Airport statistics give the following figures: Brussels Airport: 22.243 movements (+1.25%), Charleroi-Brussels South: 8.425 (+13.51%), Antwerpen-Deurne: 6.225 (-7.60%), Oostende-Brugge: 5.068 (-6.79%) and Liège-Bierset: 3.841 (-5.14%). Canac controlled air traffic between flight levels 135 and 245: 48.327 (+5.95%). Source: Belgocontrol

The Belgian Air and Land Components conduct a low level flying exercise over the Province of Luxembourg under code name Poppy 07 between 22 and 24 November. The purpose of Poppy type exercise is to train Air Component's F-16 pilots and Land Component's Forward Air Controllers (FAC) in working together. All the Poppy 07 targets and Low Level Flying Areas (LLFA) will be located between the villages of Massin - Libin - Recogne and Fay-les Veneurs (North Area) and Offagne - Tournay - Grapfontaine and Fay-le-Veneurs (South Area). Source on Mil.be in FR and NL and the Baha special feature.

Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, in the presence of Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Naresh Goyal, Chairman of Jet Airways, has confirmed that India's leading private airline JET Airways will operate a daily flight connecting Mumbai (formerly Bombay) with Brussels and Newark (USA) from the summer of next year. Source: The Hindu

On November 9th, VLM Airlines celebrated over 100 flights every day of the week arriving and departing at London City Airport. What started out as a daily flight from Antwerp to London City in 1993 has now grown to 104 flights every day of the week to and from this airport. Over the past 13 years VLM Airlines has introduced new routes from London City Airport, and has now grown to become the number one carrier operating at this airport. With 100 flights being offered every day from London City Airport to 11 different destinations such as Antwerp, Amsterdam, Brussels, Groningen, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liverpool, Luxembourg, Manchester and Rotterdam and the number of business passengers growing month by month, VLM Airlines has become the main carrier at this airport. Source: VLM

On November 4th, Sabena Airline Training Center and Sabena Flight Academy have signed an additional contract with an Indian Flight School to provide a complete flight training package in SATC¹s new facilities in Mesa, Arizona. The candidates will receive ground training in India and then pursue their practical training in the US.  This 5-year contract for approximately 60 to 100 students per year is an additional success after signing 2 major contracts with another Indian Flight School and Kingfisher, a leading Indian airline, bringing the total expected Asian student load for SATC over 200 per year. Training will start in January 2007. Source: http://www.sabena-az.com/index.php

Defence Minister André Flahaut and his Chilean homologue, Vivian Blanlot have discussed the possibility to train Belgian Air Component Lockheed C-130H Hercules crews in operations from frozen terrain in view of the exploitation of a future Belgian base on Antarctica. In February 2004 the Belgian federal government had decided to finance a new scientific base on Antarctica to study the changes in the climate. The base called “Princess Elisabeth station” will be constructed between November 2007 and February 2008 at some 200 km inland at some 4.200 km from the South African coast. In order to re-supply the base the Defence Ministry foresees to dispatch occasionally some C-130H transports. The Belgians could learn from the Chilean experience in the field of Antarctic Hercules operations.

The marriage between SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express has resulted in the birth of Brussels Airlines, a new generation of airline. The new product line-up of Brussels Airlines meets the real needs of a new generation of both business and low-cost travellers: flexibility, service and timesaving for the former, and the lowest fare guarantee for the latter. The new products are on sale from 8 November onward and the first Brussels Airlines flight will take to the skies on March 25th 2007. Source: Brussels Airlines Press release  -  Picture of Airbus A319 OO-SSG in full Brussels Airlines markings. New Brussels Airlines website: http://www.brusselsairlines.com/.   More pictures of the official presentation ceremony by Dirk Geerts can be found here.  

Established at Florennes air base since 1989, the Allied Command Operations Tactical Leadership Programme (ACO TLP) Flying Branch organises each year six Flying Course (FC), each lasting 20 working days over a period of four weeks. Usually five of the annual Flying Courses are held at Florennes while the sixth is a so-called off theatre or Deployed Flying Course (DFC). These regular large-scale multi-national air exercises attract about 40 aircraft from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America but also provide one of the few remaining chances for European aviation enthusiasts to see and photograph a wide range of active military aircraft. More info: http://www.tlp.scramble.nl or http://www.florennes-as.be

Participants TLP Flying Course 2006 - 6

Belgium: 04 F-16AM (FA-68, FA-101, FA-120, FA-127)
France : 02 Mirage 2000D EC01.003 (620/3-IL, 650/3-IA), 02 Mirage 2000C (8/5-OO, 36/5-OC), 01 EC.727 Cougar  (2549/SB)
Germany: 05 Phantom II JG71 & JG74 (38+18, 38+27, 38+61, 38+62, 38+70), 01 UH-1D (71+52)
Italy: 02 F-16A-ADF 5St/23Gr (MM7239, MM7262), 05 Tornado IT-ECR 50St/155Gr (MM7020/50-41, MM7034/50-50, MM7051/50-45, MM7062/50-44, MM7070/50-06)
The Netherlands: 01 Fokker 50 (U-05)
United Kingdom: 04 Jaguar GR.3A 6Sqn (XZ398/EQ, XZ399/EJ, XX723/EU, XX970/EH), 04 Tornado F.3 43Sqn (ZE203/GA, ZE338/GJ, ZE757, ZG757/C), 02 Tornado GR.4 12 Sqn & 15 Sqn (ZD709/078, ZD895/102)
United States: 03 F-16CJ 52nd FW/23rd FS (91-0407/SP, 91-0416/SP, 92-0915/SP)
Civil: Da20 FRA (G-FRAI)

From November 06 to November 09, several fighters from Escadron de chasse 1/4 "Dauphiné", 2/4 "La Fayette", 3/4 "Limousin", 1/33 "Belfort", 2/3 "Champagne” took part in a CAS (Close Air Support) exercise in Belgium. During these three days, the French Mirages carried out simulated low and medium altitude offensive operations against their targets using laser/IR designators. The aim of the exercise was to provide training for French pilots, Belgian TACP (Tactical Air Control Party) teams, as well as junior French FACs (Forward Air Controllers). Source: Armée de l’Air.

During the night, a baggage loader collided with an SN Brussels Airlines Airbus A330 at Douala Airport in Cameroon. The extend of the damage is not known but is such that it prevented the scheduled flight to take off while the 150 passengers had to stay in a hotel at Douala. Source: Luchtzak

06/11 - New passenger hand baggage restrictions on liquids enter into force.

As of today, new regulations restricting the quantity of liquids, gels and pastes that passengers travelling through any European Union airport are allowed to carry onto flights as hand baggage come into force. The new rules adopted by the European Commission last October will also apply to passengers travelling from Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, regardless of their destination. The 25-nation European Union agreed to tighten airport security measures in the wake of the break down by British authorities in August of a plot to bring down U.S.-bound flights with liquid-based explosives. Source: International Herald Tribune, details on the restrictions: Ryanair

03/11 - Operation Blue Bee at Mostar (Bosnia-Herzegovina) successfully accomplished.

Three Agusta A.109BA helicopters which formed the main asset of Operation Blue Bee have returned to their home base at Bierset after 5 months of operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Belgian helicopters were continuously on stand-by with one Agusta and 8 men personnel at Mostar airbase to provide medical transportation (medevac) at any time when called upon. Each flight was accompanied by a specialised doctor. More information: Mil.be NL & FR

Walloon Minister André Antoine responsible for Walloon regional airports has decided to ban the Moroccan cheap fare company Jet4You's very short flights between Charleroi and Liège. The 70 km short flight additional part of the Casablanca-Charleroi connection is to polluting and consumes too much energy for the estimated 40 passengers the extra landing could generate according to Antoine. Source:  Expatica

A remembrance ceremony for the Belgian pilots and those that served with the Royal Air Force was organised at the cemetery of Evere near Brussels. This moving occasion in honour of those pilots who died defending their country was attended by Comopsair Commanding Officer Major General Gerard Van Caelenberghe and representatives of military pilot associations. Pictures by Philippe Deman: 1  -  2  -  3

October 2006

VLM Airlines has started its new scheduled connection between Groningen Airport Eelde and London City via Amsterdam. This dally link will be flown with the 50 seat Fokker 50 twin turboprop. Source: VLM Airlines

The month of September 206 showed a total of some 100.579 movements over the whole of Belgium, an increase of 5.19% (+4.964 movements) compared to the same month one year ago. This traffic (including 49.261 CANAC controlled over flights between flight levels 135 and 245) is spread over the Belgian airports as follow: Brussels 23.005 movements (-0.13%), Charleroi-Brussels South 9.169 (+18.36%), Oostende-Brugge 7.589 (+37.96%), Antwerpen-Deurne 7.352 (-11.31%), Liège-Bierset 4.203 (+37.96%. Source: Belgocontrol.

A very convincing looking bust of wartime pilot Michel "Mike" Donnet based on a wartime picture of this pilot has been unveiled at the Aeronautical Section of the Royal Army Museum at Brussels. The stature is positioned in the cockpit of Supermarine Spitfire LF.IX MJ783 (ex-BAF SM-15) which is on public display and is surprisingly realistic.  Pictures: 1  -  2  -  3 

At 10h00L on 25 October the first two of five ex-Light Aviation Britten Norman Islanders (B-04/G-BDPN and B-07/G-BDVX) took off from Brasschaat to be delivered to the new owners FLY BN LTD at Bembridge (U.K.). In the evening the three remaining Islanders (B-08/G-BDZI, B-10/G-BEDW and B12/G-BEFI) are scheduled to do the same on both occasions being accompanied by an all white Turbine Islander N54EW. It is of interest to note that the civil registrations of the Islanders are the same as those worn before delivery to Belgium in 1976. Pictures: 1  -  2  -  3  -  4

In accordance to the "Document of Vienna 1999" every member state of the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has to organise a visit of a tactical airbase or military installation every 5 years. The aim of this rule is to create an atmosphere of confidence and security between the member countries. One such visit was organised on 23 and 24 October 2006 in which two representatives of each of the 56 OSCE countries were invited to visit respectively Florennes airbase and the Para-Commando training centre at Marche-les-Dames. 

20/10 - "Airmen Remembrance Day" celebrated at Brussels

Since the creation on 15 October 1946 of the Belgian Air Force as an independent force it has been a tradition to honour those airmen who died in service for their country. This year's "Airmen Remembrance Day" was organised on 20 October 2006 at the Air Force monument in the Jubelpark/Parc du Cinquantenaire at Brussels.  Source: Mil. be NL -  FR

Brussels' airport at Zaventem has been renamed "Brussels Airport, Welcome to Europe" by airport operator BIAC in order to strengthen its position as efficient and welcoming gateway to Europe. At the same time the operator also changed its name into "The Brussels Airport Company". Source: http://www.biac.be/news/index.cfm?lang=en

Former wartime Typhoon pilot of 609 Squadron, Armand Crekillie has passed away aged 84. After the war "Crick" also served in 349 Squadron and became CO of N° 2 Squadron/ 2Wing at Florennes in 1951. In October 1958 he became base commander of Florennes and retired in November 1979 looking back on a brilliant career having reached the grade of Lieutenant-General in the function of Chief of General Staff of the Belgian Armed Forces.  

The Belairbus consortium (Sonaca (Gosselies), Asco Industries (Zaventem) and Eurair (Brugge) expect this year to have a 10% downfall in its turnover which could increase to 15% over 2007. Major cause is the increasing delays in deliveries of the A380 Superjumbo foreseen by its constructor Airbus. Source: De Standaard

A street in Norwich (U.K.) was named "Maurice Raes Close" after the wartime Belgian Spitfire pilot who lost his life over Sprowston Road (Norwich North) when his plane crashed on 13 June 1942.  1st Sergeant Maurice Raes was born at Mons on 17 June 1921 and joined the pre-war Aéronautique Militaire in September 1939. At the beginning of the hostilities Raes was a student-pilot at Wevelgem as part of the 82nd Promotion. With the pilot-school he arrived at Oujda (Morocco) in May 1940 and escaped to England on 4 August 1940. After his pilot-training with the Franco-Belgian 85th promotion at Odiham he finally arrived with n° 350 (Belgian) squadron in March 1942. A mere three months later he died in the crash of his Spitfire W3446/MN-R at Norwich. The "street naming" ceremony was attended by the Lord Mayor of Norwich Filicity Hartley , Lt. General Mike Donnet, Col. Pat Dumortier representing the Belgian Air Component, Denise and Michelle Raes, nieces of Maurice and a delegation of n° 350 (Fighter) Squadron. Pictures: 01  -  02  -  03  - 04

The Belgian government has won an appeal against the liquidators of former airline Swissair concerning the payment of outstanding claims amounting some of 830 million Euros.  Source: De Standaard

The city of Mesa announced that the US operations of Sabena Flight Academy were relocating to the Mesa Falcon Field airport from Scottsdale. The Sabena Airline Training center company is to employ 70 workers in the 23.000 square feet hangar and office space in the Falcon Field Office Center. Source: AZCentral.com

Since June 2006 some 40 men and woman of the Heli Wing together with 4 Agusta helicopters are detached to Mostar at Bosnia Herzegovina as part of the Blue Bee mission. Their main task is to provide medical evacuation and communication flights as well as executing reconnaissance and observation missions. Up to now the Belgian aircraft totalled some 530 flying hours half of which consists of reconnaissance and observation flights (searching for landing sites, illegal arms depots and general smuggling). On October 31st the Blue Bee mission will end but the Macedonian colleagues will remain in situ until February 2007.  Source: Mil. be : NL and FR

A heavy storm with wind peaks up to 140 km/h has ravaged the French Armée de l’Air base at Cazaux (BA 120) causing damaged to two Belgian Trainers. An extinguisher protection device torn loose severely damaged the stabilizer of Alpha Jet AT-17 and is need of replacement. The second Alpha Jet (AT-01) suffered some damage to the nose cone. Both aircraft belonging to the ETO (escadron de transformation opérationnelle) can be repaired on the spot using available spare parts. Click here for a picture of the damaged AT-17.

A Belgian Air Component B-Hunter UAV crashed this afternoon on take off from N'Dolo airport at Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Four unmanned aerial vehicles are deployed to the former Belgian colony in the framework of the European Force EUFOR which is to oversee the national elections in the republic. Unfortunately one person was killed on the ground and two injured. The cause of the accident is not known yet. This is the third B-Hunter which crashes in a few months, 279 in a landing accident at Elsenborn (Belgium) on 5 May 2006, while 285 was shot down on approach to N'Dolo airport on 28 July 2006. Source: Het Nieuwsblad and Het Laatste Nieuws

 The first Rumanian low cost carrier Blue Air will connect Charleroi-Brussels South airport with Bucharest four times a week as of October 29, 2006. Apart from Warsaw, Budapest and Ljubljana, Bucharest is the fourth Eastern European capital which can be reached from Charleroi - Brussels South airport. The connection will be made with Boeing 737-300 and -500 aircraft. Source: www.charleroi-airport.com

02/10 - 175 collisions at Zaventem airport over the year 2005

Over the whole of the year 2005 some 175 collisions occurred on the grounds of Brussels' Zaventem airport. The ever growing number of aircraft, tankers, luggage carts, and miscellaneous equipment on the tarmac makes it inevitable that light collisions are happening. Fortunately the number of collisions involving aircraft is decreasing from 172 in 2000 to 32 last year. Source: Het Nieuwsblad