My ideal Belgian airline ... whats yours?

bmibaby · Post by **bmibaby** » 13 Aug 2003, 22:02

Well here is my idea if I had buckets loads of money to throw to start an airline in Belgium here's what I'd do:

I'd set up an airline based on bmi in the UK.

1. Fly an all-Airbus A320 family fleet to major European cities popular with business and leisure passengers from BRU.
2. Launch an off-shoot low-cost subsidiary to fly from CRL to compete with Ryanair.
3. Launch a long haul product that would make people want to fly to Europe with us, but not a prestigious longhaul network just essential routes like ORD, JFK and IAD.

744rules · Post by **744rules** » 13 Aug 2003, 22:26

I think you will have to get a deal with some long-haul carrier for the further destinations, because the belgian market is not big enough for a few low-cost carriers. This way you can take care of some feeder services.

On the other hand, I think that on the long run, the (high speed) train will become more popular. Just a few advantages : less noise, no more transfers required, linkage between several major airports in the neighbouring countries (in the case of bru/crl you have ams, cdg, fra, lhr).

If your idea works, don't you think that R Branson or Stelios would have been ahead to practice it?

8)

Fab99 · Post by **Fab99** » 13 Aug 2003, 22:45

Is the 320 a good choice??? Cheap to buy but expensive to run (maintenance) and for me less reliable than a Boeing!

About a low-cost flying to and from major airports, there is already one in bru.

Post by **sn26567** » 14 Aug 2003, 09:05

Fab99 wrote:About a low-cost flying to and from major airports, there is already one in bru

... and another one in CRL (and OST)

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 14 Aug 2003, 10:22

If i were launching a BELGIAN airline I wouldn't model it on something BRITISH like bmi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would model it on VLM, Belgium's most sucessful airline as far as profits go.
I fly VLM and I'm proud of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!