Merger Virgin Express (VEX) / SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA)

PNC · Post by **PNC** » 07 Feb 2004, 20:25

What about discussions about the probably merge between SNBA and VEX?? I heard that there will be a possibility that the 2airlines will merge for this summer 2004. Anyone have some news about , and what do you think about?

Post by **airbuske** » 07 Feb 2004, 21:10

I think that wouldn't happen because there are some differents between SNBA and VEX. The biggest different is that SNBA is full service airline and Virgin is a low cost carrier
But yeah these days everything is possible in the airline business

Airbuske

OO-SBZ · Post by **OO-SBZ** » 07 Feb 2004, 22:10

airbuske wrote:I think that wouldn't happen because there are some differents between SNBA and VEX. The biggest different is that SNBA is full service airline and Virgin is a low cost carrier
But yeah these days everything is possible in the airline business

Airbuske

In my opinion SNBA is a full-service carrier offering low prices if you get a 'best buy' whereas VEX tends to offer full-service prices with a low-cost service

Regards

BeN

Post by **sn26567** » 07 Feb 2004, 22:55

These discussions were mentioned some months ago (see https://www.aviation24.be/postlite1889-virgin+express.html).

It's better for the negotiators not to let any rumours get out of the meeting rooms (or expensive restaurants).

SilverJET · Post by **SilverJET** » 08 Feb 2004, 09:51

Maybe there is a possibility that SNBA and Birdy will merge for this summer 2004

Post by **sn26567** » 08 Feb 2004, 10:16

SilverJET wrote:Maybe there is a possibility that SNBA and Birdy will merge for this summer 2004

That also has been reported earlier. The contract between SN Brussels Airlines and Birdy expires in October (that's already autumn!). The most likely outcome is that SN BA will take over the planes and crew from Birdy.

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 08 Feb 2004, 10:25

The most likely outcome is that SN BA will take over the planes and crew from Birdy.

I'm not too sure about that...

- planes: the lease will end within about one year. I guess that SN will look for a replacement? Why not 4 A332's?

- crew: I can see the same scenario happen, just like they did with the A319: giving promotion to their own crews. I would be surprised if they would take over all the Birdy staff...

Frederic

sabena4ever · Post by **sabena4ever** » 08 Feb 2004, 11:33

Sabena_690 wrote:
The most likely outcome is that SN BA will take over the planes and crew from Birdy.
I'm not too sure about that...
- crew: I can see the same scenario happen, just like they did with the A319: giving promotion to their own crews. I would be surprised if they would take over all the Birdy staff...

Frederic

It would be "disgraceful" if SNBA doesn't do it!!!
But I hope they 'll engage all the crews, because they need to.

I suppose SNBA 'll once more negociate the contract of the Birdy 's crew, after their take over of Birdy.
wait and see!!!!
have a nice sunday

Fab99 · Post by **Fab99** » 08 Feb 2004, 11:54

I guess both VEX and SNBA have to find an agreement quite fast : SNBA's european network doesn't look profitable to me and VEX seems to lose a lot of money in the fares battle they're having against each other.

But as a VEX's fan, I am not sure a merge would be profitable for VEX and I hope Virgin Express won't lose her identity if merge there is.

AirDupont · Post by **AirDupont** » 08 Feb 2004, 12:17

What will happen to Birdy itself then in case SNBA takes it over?
Will VH and GG start another airline? Will they be the new long haul charter airline in Belgium as there's none and there no plans of any charter airline in Belgium to start long haul on their own. I'm sure those 2 guys will find a way to be profitable until they want something new again.

Greetz

snowbird · Post by **snowbird** » 08 Feb 2004, 15:47

Air Holland (GG) will not start flights from Belgium for the long haul. Eric de Vlieger has taken over some contracts from Air Holland (TUI and COOK) and will start a new airline, named Holland Exel, as soon as he gets his AOC for the new airline. Till that moment GG will still operate those flights.
I heard some rumours that Holland Exel wants to start up also a Holland Exel in Belgium and France, specialized in long haul. I don't know for which touroperators, but I can imagine that out of Belgium it will be nice alternative for Sobelair and in France there is also long hoaul capcity needed in the region of Basel, Metz and Strasbourg. Dit someone else also heard some rumours about this?

A318 · Post by **A318** » 08 Feb 2004, 18:44

No rumours, he already anounced this december 12th, 2003.
You can read the article :here, but it is in dutch!

Greetz,

Erwin

SilverJET · Post by **SilverJET** » 08 Feb 2004, 19:04

The company " Air Exel" is this the same company who operates scheduled flights from various Dutch Airports with ATR42s , based at MST ?

Sabena_690 · Post by **Sabena_690** » 08 Feb 2004, 19:40

@Silverjet: I think you are talking about KLM Exell

Frederic

SilverJET · Post by **SilverJET** » 08 Feb 2004, 20:19

yes indeed! KLM Exell, but was this before it's merger with KLM not Air Exel ?

vliegtuigfreak · Post by **vliegtuigfreak** » 08 Feb 2004, 21:04

Sabena_690 wrote:- planes: the lease will end within about one year. I guess that SN will look for a replacement? Why not 4 A332's?

I hope this will happen but i think not. Money is the problem. But indeed this would be nice, plus an A332 can do longer ranges than the A333.

Greetingzz
Sonny

Avro · Post by **Avro** » 09 Feb 2004, 20:07

Personally I hope that VEW and SNBA will stay seperate airlines as far as the logo's, names, service, and planes are concernec. From an economical point of view, I'm sure it would be an advantage for both companies to sign agreements. With agreements I don't mean codeshares, but some agreements that would stop some competitions they have on some destinations.

vliegtuigfreak wrote:
Sabena_690 wrote: planes: the lease will end within about one year. I guess that SN will look for a replacement? Why not 4 A332's?
I hope this will happen but i think not. Money is the problem. But indeed this would be nice, plus an A332 can do longer ranges than the A333

Why should money be a problem. If the lease of the planes stops in the near future you can always try to get 4 other planes for a very good prize.

Well, it would be logical that they would look for other planes since the A330's have had lots of problems in the past year.

If the market is still growing a lot to Africa they could maybe lease 4 B777's and use the 4th one not entirely for African destinations but instead on operations to South America or Asia.

Just my 2 cent's

Ciao
Chris
8)

vliegtuigfreak · Post by **vliegtuigfreak** » 09 Feb 2004, 20:18

Avro wrote:Why should money be a problem. If the lease of the planes stops in the near future you can always try to get 4 other planes for a very good prize.

Well, it would be logical that they would look for other planes since the A330's have had lots of problems in the past year.

If the market is still growing a lot to Africa they could maybe lease 4 B777's and use the 4th one not entirely for African destinations but instead on operations to South America or Asia.

Just my 2 cent's

I agree with your idee Chris. I hope SNBA is listening to you!

Greetingzz
Sonny

DannyVDB · Post by **DannyVDB** » 09 Feb 2004, 20:34

Fab99 wrote:I guess both VEX and SNBA have to find an agreement quite fast : SNBA's european network doesn't look profitable to me and VEX seems to lose a lot of money in the fares battle they're having against each other.

Fab99,

Why does SNBA European network does not look profitable? The network as such is much better than the one from VEX (more destinations, better schedules). I think it is already profitable part of the year/day, even with low loadfactors ...

Danny

DannyVDB · Post by **DannyVDB** » 09 Feb 2004, 20:38

vliegtuigfreak wrote:
Sabena_690 wrote:- planes: the lease will end within about one year. I guess that SN will look for a replacement? Why not 4 A332's?
I hope this will happen but i think not. Money is the problem. But indeed this would be nice, plus an A332 can do longer ranges than the A333.

Greetingzz
Sonny

Vliegtuigfreak,

I am not sure they need a longer range. I think they do not intend to fly to Johannesburg or so. Plus th A333 fits nice for combined routes - so most of the routes to Africa.

If they need additional capacity, I guess this will be for additional frequencies and to add other African destinations like Cotonou, Lagos, Lomé, and why not Bamako and Ougadougou, all former Sabena destinations but with a lot of competition now (AF, ...).

Danny