Blue Skies forever

[Passenger]

RIP Staf De Lie (88 years old), journalist and promotor of Antwerp Airport. Staf De Lie is one of the five people in ANR's Hall of Fame, together with Danny Cabooter, Christian Heinzmann, Freddy Michiels and Freddy Van Gaever.
https://www.polderke.com/staf-de-lie-pr ... vengebouw/

[Boeing767copilot]

RIP Wim Desmet, founder of Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium with two A320’s.

"Afscheid van Wim Desmet, de man die de Limburger leerde reizen"

[Homo Aeroportus]

Eric Moody passed away this week.

Eric Moody.jpg (33.49 KiB) Viewed 28836 times

He was the Captain of Speedbird 9 that faced a small issue in June 1982 when flying at night through volcano ashes at 37000ft over Indonesia, leading to a total flame out of their B747.

He is famous for his announcement to his passengers :
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are all doing our damnedest to get them going again. I trust you are not in too much distress."

They managed to restart all engines during their return to Jakarta Halim, though N°2 had to be switched off again. The windshield having been sandblasted by flying though volcano ashes, combined by the ILS GS being u/s, made the landing a bit out of usual.
On top of other more formal awards, the flight crew got their glider pilot licence for having flown a B747 without power for 14 minutes.
The aircraft was brought back into service under the nickname “The Flying Ashtray”.

A passenger managed to collect individual memories and published a book. I wish I remembered who I lent it to.
http://www.ericmoody.com/

Blue Skies forever Captain.

H.A.

[sn26567]

Michel Rétif passed away yesterday aged 101. He was the last surviving flight crew member of Concorde's maiden flight in 1969.

[Passenger]

RIP Martin Schröder (13/05/1931 - 02/10/2024).

Founder Martinair (NL).

[sn26567]

RIP Martin Schröder (13/05/1931 - 02/10/2024).

Founder Martinair (NL).

Martinair (legally Martinair Holland N.V.) is a Dutch cargo and former passenger airline headquartered and based at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The airline was founded in 1958 by Martin Schröder, and is currently a subsidiary of Air France–KLM. Since 2011, Martinair has operated entirely as a cargo airline with scheduled services to 20 destinations worldwide and additional charter flights. Prior to that date, passenger flights were also operated.

[Passenger]

RIP Martin Schröder (13/05/1931 - 02/10/2024).

Founder Martinair (NL).

Martinair (legally Martinair Holland N.V.) is a Dutch cargo and former passenger airline headquartered and based at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The airline was founded in 1958 by Martin Schröder, and is currently a subsidiary of Air France–KLM. Since 2011, Martinair has operated entirely as a cargo airline with scheduled services to 20 destinations worldwide and additional charter flights. Prior to that date, passenger flights were also operated.

Martinair was the first Dutch holiday charter: their first flights were DC-3 charter flights to Palma de Mallorca.

[Boeing767copilot]

Jos De Houwer, ex communications departement Brussels Airport, died at the age of 74.

RIP Jos

[sn26567]

Michel Meyfroidt.jpg (41.94 KiB) Viewed 17845 times

RIP Michel Meyfroidt. A civil engineer from the Catholic University of Louvain, he also got a master's degree in commercial science. In 2002 he joined SN Brussels Airlines as head of finance, administration and human resources, and he became co-CEO of Brussele Airlines from 2008 to 2012. Michel will be remembered as a modest, hard-working professional who did a lot for the airline in the challenging first years.

[sn26567]

Swiss crew member dies after emergency landing in Graz

A Swiss Airlines cabin crew member has died one week after an emergency landing in Graz, Austria. The Airbus A220 flight, en route from Bucharest to Zurich with 74 passengers, experienced engine problems and smoke in the cockpit and cabin, forcing the unscheduled landing.

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... g-in-graz/

[Passenger]

On Friday 03/01/2025, a homeless woman has been found deceased from the cold at a Brussels Airport parking.

https://www.hln.be/zaventem/levenloze-l ... ~aa03a565/

[sn26567]

Jürgen Weber, Lufthansa’s Transformational Former CEO, Dies at 83

Jürgen Weber, former CEO of Lufthansa and the driving force behind its modernisation, passed away on Monday at age 83, the airline confirmed. An engineer by training, Weber led Lufthansa from 1991 to 2003, overseeing its privatisation, global repositioning, and operational overhaul during a critical recovery phase.

Weber was instrumental in founding the Star Alliance in 1997 and played a key role in expanding Frankfurt Airport into Germany’s largest aviation hub. Known as “Mr. Lufthansa,” he continued to shape the airline as Chairman of the Supervisory Board until 2013. Industry leaders praised his lasting impact on European aviation.

[sn26567]

Fred Smith, visionary FedEx founder, dies at 80

Fred Smith, the pioneering founder of FedEx and a key architect of the overnight delivery industry, has died at the age of 80, the company confirmed.

Smith conceived the idea for time-sensitive shipping while at Yale and founded Federal Express in 1971. The company launched operations in 1973 from Memphis with 14 aircraft, quickly transforming into a global logistics powerhouse. Today, FedEx serves over 220 countries and territories and generates nearly $90 billion in annual revenue.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran with two tours in Vietnam, Smith grew FedEx through strategic acquisitions, expanding into ground freight and office services. Even after stepping down as CEO in 2022, he remained executive chairman.

FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam called him "the heart and soul" of the company. Former President George W. Bush described Smith as “one of the finest Americans of our generation” and revealed he twice offered Smith the role of Secretary of Defense, which he declined for family reasons.

Smith is remembered not just for revolutionising shipping, but for his service, leadership, and devotion to innovation and country.

[sn26567]

In Memory of Two Fallen Aviators

Today, the aviation community mourns the loss of Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther, who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty during the accident at LaGuardia Airport.

Both pilots were at the controls of an Air Canada Express flight operated by Jazz Aviation when the aircraft was involved in a catastrophic runway collision. They remained at their posts until the very end, embodying the professionalism and dedication that define their profession.

Captain Forest, just 30, was at the beginning of what promised to be a distinguished career, while First Officer Gunther had only recently entered the industry, bringing with him passion and commitment to aviation.

Their loss is felt far beyond the cockpit—by colleagues, loved ones, and the global aviation community. Every safe journey depends on individuals like them: highly trained, deeply committed, and entrusted with the lives of others.

May they be remembered not only for the tragedy of their passing, but for their service, their dedication, and the countless journeys they helped make possible.

Blue skies and tailwinds.

[Passenger]

Etienne Davignon, 04/10/1932-18/05/2026

founder and first president SN Air Holding / SN Brussels Airlines.

[lumumba]

Etienne Davignon, 04/10/1932-18/05/2026

founder and first president SN Air Holding / SN Brussels Airlines.

We're not going to celebrate him, this one, apparently involved in the death of Patrice Lumumba!

[JOVAN2]

Etienne Davignon, 04/10/1932-18/05/2026

founder and first president SN Air Holding / SN Brussels Airlines.

We're not going to celebrate him, this one, apparently involved in the death of Patrice Lumumba!

Not convicted = innocent
Respect please.

[sn26567]

Etienne Davignon, 04/10/1932-18/05/2026

founder and first president SN Air Holding / SN Brussels Airlines.

In memoriam:

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... -airlines/