VLM Airlines news 2017

[Passenger]

You guys are busy these days

Overworked

But much appreciated!

[sn26567]

My trip report (I flew to LCY and I am still there) will be published on the main page.

About the ceremony: No press conference, no question time. But I could speak to one Chinese lady representing the Chinese shareholders. She told me VLM expected to launch long haul flights from Brussels to Shenzhen in April 2018 and later to 5 Chinese cities. I replied that Hainan also applied for slots to Shenzhen. She said she would try to be the first.

[Boavida]

Article today in 'De Tijd' (Dutch): https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/luchtvaa ... en/9948285

VLM wants to fly from Zaventem to China starting Spring 2018.

[sukhoi]

probably is VLM faster than Air BELGIUM thanks the flight license of thomas cock airlines belgium wel funny vlm flanders vs air belgium wallon wil fly to china from bru

[sn26567]

Article today in 'De Tijd' (Dutch): https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/luchtvaa ... en/9948285

VLM wants to fly from Zaventem to China starting Spring 2018.

That was indeed the answer from a Chinese lady to MY question . See post above yours.

[Boavida]

I would love to see a A330 in these colors !

[luchtzak]

probably is VLM faster than Air BELGIUM thanks the flight license of thomas cock airlines belgium wel funny vlm flanders vs air belgium wallon wil fly to china from bru

That's not correct. VLM Airlines is currently flying under the Slovenian AOC. A Belgian AOC has not yet been approved.

[luchtzak]

Article today in 'De Tijd' (Dutch): https://www.tijd.be/ondernemen/luchtvaa ... en/9948285

VLM wants to fly from Zaventem to China starting Spring 2018.

That was indeed the answer from a Chinese lady to MY question . See post above yours.

And the lady spoke too soon apparently!

André send me the pictures, together with the official press release he created this article:

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/vlm-a ... ndon-city/

[luchtzak]

Furthermore VLM Airlines plans flights to Moscow and Tel Aviv from Q3 2018

https://twitter.com/raphaelcockx/status ... 0819161088

I can't reach De Tijd as I exceeded my 5 reads.

[Bralo20]

I'm wondering, since the operating carrier is VLM Airlines Slovenia shouldn't it be mentioned on the fuselage? Just like with Cityjet & Brussels Airlines?

BTW, is it just me or is the VLM site offline? I'm getting a 500 error when trying to access the site?

[nordikcam]

My trip report (I flew to LCY and I am still there) will be published on the main page.

About the ceremony: No press conference, no question time. But I could speak to one Chinese lady representing the Chinese shareholders. She told me VLM expected to launch long haul flights from Brussels to Shenzhen in April 2018 and later to 5 Chinese cities. I replied that Hainan also applied for slots to Shenzhen. She said she would try to be the first.

Hainan, maybe Air Belgium, and now VLM...all actors want to go to Shenzhen...

[pitrixplanespotting]

Furthermore VLM Airlines plans flights to Moscow and Tel Aviv from Q3 2018

https://twitter.com/raphaelcockx/status ... 0819161088

This is WRONG news, article from 2015

I can't reach De Tijd as I exceeded my 5 reads.

I can, got a subscription.

Hainan, maybe Air Belgium, and now VLM...all actors want to go to Shenzhen...

I thought just the same

[AAI]

For me the only positive news is, that they think to fly other destinations out of ANR.

[lucas]

Hainan, maybe Air Belgium, and now VLM...all actors want to go to Shenzhen...

You forgot Cathay!!!
(As far as you can say Hong Kong is still part of China)

[Passenger]

For me the only positive news is, that they think to fly other destinations out of ANR.

One of the reasons why the old VLM went bankrupt, is their failed adventure in the Netherlands.

[DIBO]

My trip report ... ... will be published on the main page.

Nice report.
Just one remark, the title "A reception for the first guests with the VLM Chief pilot, CEO Harm Prins and two ladies representing the Chinese investors." above the picture with the dignitaries, but no pilot. A lot of gold bars and a star doesn't make someone a pilot; a chief on the other hand...

[ostair]

Nothing for EBOS.
A320's for BRU but which destination?

[Shengenzone]

Investor mentions first destinations in China as: Shenzen, Chengdu, Xian en Tianjin.
Report on Kanaal Z:
http://kanaalz.knack.be/nieuws/vlm-airl ... 19425.html

[sn26567]

Apparently it was still possible to ask questions to the local authorities after I left on the inaugural flight: from my window seat I could see cameras in action on the ground.

[sn26567]

André send me the pictures, together with the official press release he created this article:

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/vlm-a ... ndon-city/

And hereunder are the pictures and the report of the return flight.

I had 6 hours to kill at LCY, hence, after having lunch and after handling the pictures of the inauguration and the outbound flight, I decided to go spotting (the pictures of which you can see here).

Coming back to the airport, the first striking image is that of the light wall with moving images showing the numbers of the check-in desks. With VLM at #1.

London City Airport

The light wall before the check-in desks

Then up to the first level for the waiting area with a large number of loading stations for PCs, tablets and smartphones. The gate number appears only 30 minutes before departure. For flight VO110 to Antwerp, it would be Gate 5. When I reached the gate, the plane was there, waiting.

Return flight VO110 announced at gate 5

OO-VLI parked before gate 5

Boarding after a 50m walk. A new crew manned the aircraft. Swift take-off with engines at full power to bring the plane at its cruising altitude of FL150 (vs FL140 for the outbound flight): these low altitudes allow a close view of the ground (or rather the sea for a part of the trip).

Again, a small free snack and a free drink (even alcoholic drinks). I asked for a beer and I got a Heineken: you could see the CEO is Dutch!

The cabin

Dutch CEO = Dutch liquid called beer (but free!)

Announcements were in English and Dutch (like on the outbound flight). No French, but since the stewardess was from Spa, she spoke French to anyone who used that language.

Flying over the Antwerp Ring highway

Back in Antwerp

Back in Antwerp

Landing with a 10 min delay, and end of a long and interesting day.

For information, the itineraries of both the outbound and inbound flights:

VO103 ANR-LCY

VO110 LCY-ANR