VLM brand to be revitalized?

[sn26567]

A nice article from CAPA, as usual, about the future of CityJet and its subsidiary VLM after their purchase by Intro Aviation.

http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/c ... ken-176467

VLM will keep its F50s for the time being, the priority being to replace the Avro RJ fleet. Hope is to become profitable again after years of losses and neglect under Air France-KLM ownership.

The complete separation of VLM and CityJet is imminent."Intro's acquisition of CityJet included Belgian airline VLM, which had been acquired by Air France-KLM in Dec-2007 and integrated into CityJet from 2009. VLM no longer operates under its own code or brand, but deploys its fleet of 12 Fokker 50 aircraft under wet lease and charter arrangements for other carriers, including CityJet.

Intro has taken a decision to separate the two airlines, which will operate as "sister companies under the same mother. They will work with each other, but also be independent". VLM will market its own capacity and CityJet will take advantage of it as a supplier when needed and on an arms' length basis."

LCY is likely to remain an important base.

[air belgium]

Any news of the 'new' flyvlm first flight from Antwerp to LCY?
Many thanks, i would like to book a flight but i don't want to sit in
a cityjet fokker 50.

[AAI]

Take than the Flybe ATR 72-500 to SEN, same time!

[air belgium]

It is for my collection that i would like to fly with the new 'flyvlm'.

[sn26567]

Aurigny to lease a Fokker 50 from VLM for London City flights

Aurigny Air Services (GR, Guernsey) has announced it will lease a Fokker 50 from Belgian ACMI specialist, VLM (VG, Antwerp), for use on its double-daily Guernsey to London City flights which will launch on September 8.

The lease is expected to last for the first four to eight weeks allowing the Guernsey-based carrier enough time to source an additional ATR72-600 to operate the route.

Source: ch-aviation

[sn26567]

Full of confidence after the disaster years

The Briton Arthur White is has been at the helm of VLM Airlines for two years. The previous owner Air France-KLM completely depreciated its expensive acquisition and even gave the new owner, German Intro Aviation, some money.

But White now has confidence. VLM Airlines is an ACMI carrier: that represents airline, crew, maintenance, insurance. It only operates flights for third parties. "This is the commercial risk is much smaller," indicates Arthur White. "For us it does not matter whether an aircraft is flying empty or full. We are paid per flight. But obviously we need to be punctual, reliable and customer friendly. And we work in a very competitive market. But I am confident."

Additionally VLM Airlines operates in the growth business charter flights. "For the past two years, we grew by 100 percent each year on our charters. Football teams, tour operators, companies which have a weekend to go out."

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