SABENA was the former national airline of Belgium, which mainly operated from Brussels National Airport. The airline operated from 1923 to 2001. It was replaced as the Belgian national airline by SN Brussels Airlines and later Brussels Airlines. SABENA logo File links The following pages link to this file: Sabena ... IATA airline designators, sometimes called IATA reservation codes, are two-character codes assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to the worlds airlines in accordance with the provisions of Resolution 762. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with ICAO airline code. ... Most airlines employ a distinctive and internationally recognised call sign that is normally spoken during airband radio transmissions as a prefix to the flight number. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... An airline hub is an airport that an airline uses as a transfer point to get passengers to their intended destination. ... Brussels Airport (IATA: BRU, ICAO: EBBR) (also called in Dutch: Luchthaven Zaventem or in French: Aéroport de Zaventem), also Zaventem Airport or Brussels (Zaventem) International Airport, was formerly known as Brussel Nationaal/Bruxelles-National (Brussels National). ... Membership cards of FFP This article is about airline frequent flyer programs. ... Qualifler was the name of Swissair frequent flyer program created in April of 1992. ... The lounge at ZRH, Switzerland An airport lounge is a lounge owned by a particular airline (or jointly operated by several carriers). ... An airline alliance is an agreement between two or more airlines to cooperate for the foreseeable future on a substantial level. ... Qualifler was the name of Swissair frequent flyer program created in April of 1992. ... Nickname: Map showing the location of Brussels in Belgium Coordinates: Country Belgium Region Brussels-Capital Region Founded 979 Founded (Region) June 18, 1989 Government  - Mayor (Municipality) Freddy Thielemans Area  - Region 162 km²  (62. ... Brussels Airport (IATA: BRU, ICAO: EBBR) (also called in Dutch: Luchthaven Zaventem or in French: Aéroport de Zaventem), also Zaventem Airport or Brussels (Zaventem) International Airport, was formerly known as Brussel Nationaal/Bruxelles-National (Brussels National). ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) is the trading name of the Belgian airline Delta Air Transport operating from Brussels Airport. ... Brussels Airlines is the Belgian national carrier and is based at Brussels Airport in Belgium. ...

History

1923-1939

SABENA is short for Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne, or Belgian company for exploiting aerial navigation. It began operations on May 23, 1923 as the Belgian national carrier. It was created by the Belgian government after its predecessor, SNÉTA (Syndicat national pour l'étude des transports aériens), which was formed in 1919 as a sort of testbed to investigate commercial aviation in Belgium, ceased operations. SABENA Airlines' first paying flight was from Rotterdam to Strasbourg via Brussels on April 1, 1924. Regular flights to Amsterdam and Basle via Strasbourg were initiated by 1923 with further routes to London, Bremen and Copenhagen by 1924. is the 143rd day of the year (144th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Nickname: Motto: Sterker door strijd (Stronger through Struggle) Location of Rotterdam Coordinates: Country Netherlands Province South Holland Government  - Mayor Ivo Opstelten  - Aldermen Jeannette Baljeu Hamit Karakus Orhan Kaya Lucas Bolsius Jantine Kriens Dominic Schrijer Roelf de Boer Leonard Geluk Area [1]  - City 319 km²  (123. ... City flag City coat of arms Location Coordinates Time Zone CET (GMT +1) Administration Country Region Alsace Department Bas-Rhin (67) Intercommunality Urban Community of Strasbourg Mayor Fabienne Keller  (UMP) City Statistics Land area¹ 78. ... Nickname: Map showing the location of Brussels in Belgium Coordinates: Country Belgium Region Brussels-Capital Region Founded 979 Founded (Region) June 18, 1989 Government  - Mayor (Municipality) Freddy Thielemans Area  - Region 162 km²  (62. ... April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Nickname: Motto: Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig (Valiant, Determined, Compassionate) Location of Amsterdam Coordinates: , Country Netherlands Province North Holland Government  - Mayor Job Cohen (PvdA)  - Aldermen Lodewijk Asscher Hennah Buyne Carolien Gehrels Tjeerd Herrema Maarten van Poelgeest Marijke Vos  - Secretary Erik Gerritsen Area [1][2]  - City 219 km²  (84. ... Basel (English traditionally: Basle [ba:l], German: Basel [ba:z@l], French Bâle [ba:l], Italian Basilea [bazilE:a]) is Switzerlands third most populous city (188,000 inhabitants in the canton of Basel-City as of 2004; the 690,000 inhabitants in the conurbation stretching across the... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... This article is about the city in Germany. ... For other uses, see Copenhagen (disambiguation). ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar). ...

Belgian Congo

When SABENA was created, it was partly funded by Belgians in the Belgian Congo colony who had lost their air service - an experimental passenger and cargo company (L.A.R.A.) between Kinshasa, Lisala and Stanleyville - a year earlier, and expected the new Belgian national airline to fill this gap. So from 1925 SABENA pioneered a route to Africa and to Belgium's interests in the Belgian Congo. Throughout its history, SABENA has had a long tradition with Africa flights. In fact, for a long time, these were the only profitable flights. Motto: Travail et Progres (Work and Progress) The Belgian Congo Capital Léopoldville/Leopoldstad Political structure Colony Governor  - 1908-1910 Baron Wahis  - 1946-1951 Eugène Jacques Pierre Louis Jungers  - 1958-1960 Henri Arthur Adolf Marie Christopher Cornelis History  - Established 15 November, 1908  - Congolese independence 30 June, 1960 The Belgian... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Kinshasa (formerly Léopoldville or, before 1960, also Leopoldstad) is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. ... Lisala is a city in Mongala Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. ... Kisangani, formerly Stanleyville, (population 500,000) is a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ...

SABENA chose to use landplanes for its Congo operations and a program of aerodrome construction in the Congo began. This was finished in 1926 and SABENA immediately began flights within the Congo, the main route being Boma-Léopoldville-Élisabethville, a 2,288 km (1,422 mi) route over dense jungle. First, flights were with De Havilland DH.50 aircraft, although these were quickly replaced with the larger Handley Page W.8f airliners, which had three engines and ten seats. The port town of Boma (1984 pop. ... Kinshasa - Wikipedia /**/ @import /w/skins-1. ... Lubumbashi is the second largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, lying near the border with Zambia. ... Box Log Falls, Lamington National Park, Queensland, Australia Jungle usually refers to a dense forest in a hot climate, such as a tropical rainforest. ... The de Havilland DH.50 was a 1920s British large single-engined biplane transport built by De Havilland Aircraft Company at Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgware and licence built in Australia, Belgium and Czechoslovakia. ... The Handley Page W8, W9 and W10 were British two and three-engined medium-range biplane airliners designed and built by Handley Page. ...

By 1931 SABENA's fleet, including the aircraft used on the Congo network, totalled 43 aircraft. Its mainstay type was the Fokker F.VIIB with a lesser number of the smaller Fokker 7A and 14 Handley-Page types. It also used the British Westland Wessex (1930) aircraft. Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Fokker F.VII was a small airliner originally produced by Anthony Fokkers Atlantic Aircraft Company, and later by other companies under licence. ... The Westland IV and Westland Wessex were high wing, three-engined light transport aircraft built by Westland Aircraft. ...

SABENA flew aircraft out to Tropical Africa, Belgium's Congo colony, occasionally, but mostly these aircraft were shipped out. There was no direct flight yet between Belgium and its colony. As the 1930s progressed, SABENA cooperated with Air France and Deutsche Lufthansa (who also had interests in routes over Africa and the Congo) on over-flight rights. Face The 1930s (years from 1930–1939) were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known in Europe as the World Depression. ... Air France (Compagnie Nationale Air France) is a subsidiary of Air France-KLM. Before its merger with KLM, it was the national airline of France, employing 71,654 people (as of March 2004). ... Deutsche Lufthansa AG (ISIN: DE0008232125) (pronounced ) is the largest airline in Germany, and the second-largest in Europe (behind Air France-KLM, but before British Airways). ...

SABENA's first long-haul flight to the Congo occurred February 23, 1935 and took five and a half days. It was flown by a SABENA Fokker F7b on a direct service. The following year, SABENA purchased the Savoia-Marchetti S.M. 73. At a speed of 300 km/h (200 mph), it reduced this route to only four days, and the SABENA service ran on alternate weeks with Air Afrique. February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... Savoia-Marchetti was an Italian aircraft company founded in 1915 by Umberto Savoia. ... The Savoia-Marchetti S.73 was a three engine airliner that flew during the 1930s and early 1940s. ... On March 28, 1961, Air Afrique was established as a transnational African airline cofounded by Air France and the following 11 Western African countries: Benin Burkina Faso Central African Republic Chad Congo Republic Ivory Coast Mali Mauritania Niger Senegal Togo. ...

Expansion in Europe

In Europe, SABENA opened services to Copenhagen and Malmö in 1931. A route to Berlin was initiated in 1932. The mainstay pre-war airliner that SABENA used in Europe was the successful Junkers Ju-52/3m airliner. The airline's pre-war routes covered almost 6,000 km within Europe alone. While the Brussels Haren airport was Sabena's main base, the company also operated lines from other Belgian airports, and even had a domestic network that was mainly used by businessmen who wanted to be in their coastal villas for the weekend. For other uses, see Copenhagen (disambiguation). ... Motto: FrÃ¥n arbetarstad till kunskapsstad (eng: From industrial city to knowledge city) Location of Malmö in northern Europe Coordinates: Country Sweden Municipality Malmö Municipality County SkÃ¥ne Province Scania Charter 13th Century Government  - Mayor Illmar Reepalu Area  - City 335. ... Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1932 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Junkers & Co was a major German aircraft manufacturer. ... The Junkers Ju 52 nicknamed Tante Ju (Auntie Ju) and Iron Annie was a civilian airliner and military transport aircraft and bomber manufactured between 1932 and 1945 by Junkers. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ...

In 1938, the airline purchased the new S.M. 83, a development of the S.M. 73 with a speed of 435 km/h (270 mph), although it flew services at a cruising speed of about 400 km/h (250 mph.) Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ...

1939-1946

At the dawn of World War Two in Europe in 1939, SABENA's fleet totalled 18 aircraft. Its mainstay fleet type was the Savoia-Marchetti SM-73 airliner (it had 11 of the type) and the Junkers Ju-52/3m airliner (it had 5.) SABENA also had two Douglas DC-2s. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Savoia-Marchetti was an Italian aircraft company founded in 1915 by Umberto Savoia. ... Douglas (not to be confused with Douglass), or its shortened form Doug, may refer to: // Douglas (surname), people so named Clan Douglas, a Scottish family Earl of Douglas, or any holder of the title Marquess of Douglas, or any holder of the title Duke of Douglas, or any holder of... The Douglas DC-2 was a 14-seat, twin-propeller airliner produced by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation starting in 1934. ...

During World War Two, the airline managed to maintain its Belgian Congo routes, but all European services were stopped.

1946-1960

After the Second World War in 1946, SABENA's fleet mainly consisted of Douglas DC-3s (There were thousands of surplus C-47 Dakotas available to help airlines restart operations after the war.) The airline now flew under the name SABENA - Belgian World Airlines. Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Douglas (not to be confused with Douglass), or its shortened form Doug, may refer to: // Douglas (surname), people so named Clan Douglas, a Scottish family Earl of Douglas, or any holder of the title Marquess of Douglas, or any holder of the title Duke of Douglas, or any holder of... Douglas DC-3 VH-AES at Avalon in 2003. ... The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota was a military transport that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. ...

SABENA started its first transatlantic route to New York on June 4, 1947, initially using Douglas DC-4s which were quickly replaced by Douglas DC-6Bs. These 'fours' and 'six-Bs' also restarted the airline's historic route to the Belgian Congo. SABENA were first to introduce transatlantic schedules from the North of England, when the airline DC-6B OO-CTH inaugurated their Manchester to New York route on 28 October 1953. NY redirects here. ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... The designation DC-4 was used by Douglas Aircraft Company when developing the DC-4E as a large, four-engined type to complement its forthcoming DC-3 design. ... October 28 is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 64 days remaining. ... Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Convair 240 was introduced in 1949 to partially replace the DC-3's that until then flew most European services. As of 1956, Convair 440 'Metropolitan' twins started to replace the Convair 240 twins and were used successfully well into the 1960s across European regional destinations. A restored Convair 240 in Western Air Lines livery, at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A restored Convair 240 in Western Air Lines livery, at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. ...

In 1957, the long-haul Douglas DC-7C, the 'Seven Seas', was introduced for long-haul routes but this plane would be supplanted after only three years by the jet age. Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... The traditional Seven Seas Medieval European and Arabic literature often spoke of the Seven Seas. ... The jet age is a common description of an historical period beginning with the introduction of airliners powered by turbojets and turbofans for scheduled passenger service. ...

1960-1990

1960 saw the introduction of the new Boeing 707-320 intercontinental jet for long-haul trans-Atlantic flights to New York. SABENA was mainland Europe's first airline to operate a jet across the Atlantic (BOAC - now British Airways - had been flying jet transatlantic services using the De Havilland Comet 4 since 4 October 1958). Tragically, one of SABENA's aircraft became the first Boeing 707 to crash while in commercial service. SABENA Flight 548 went down in flames while preparing to land at Brussels on February 15, 1961. The United States Figure Skating Team was aboard the jet, en route from New York to Prague via Brussels to compete in a figure skating championship. The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is an aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... The Boeing 707 is a four-engine commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. ... NY redirects here. ... After technical problems with the Comet, BOAC resumed jet service with imported Boeing 707s. ... This article is about the de Havilland Comet jet airliner. ... October 4 is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sabena Flight 548, registration OO-SJB, was a Boeing 707 aircraft en route from New York Citys International Airport to Brussels, Belgiums Zaventem Airport on February 15, 1961. ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ...

Sud-Est SE-210 Caravelle 6 jetliners were introduced on all medium-haul routes in Europe from February 1961, being flown on most routes alongside the Convair 440s, until the early 1970s. The Société Nationale des Constructions Aéronautiques du Sud-Est (SNCASE, or simply Sud-Est) was a French aircraft manufacturer. ... Sud Aviation Caravelle The SE 210 Caravelle was the first short/medium_range jet airliner, produced by the French Sud Aviation firm starting in 1955 (when it was still known as SNCASE). ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... A restored Convair 240 in Western Air Lines livery, at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ...

1961 also saw a major upheaval for SABENA in the Congo colony. Widespread rioting against Belgian colonials in the months leading up to, and after the independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, caused thousands of Belgians to flee the country. The Belgian government commandeered SABENA's entire long haul fleet to get the refugees back to Europe. Independence also meant the end of the impressive regional network of routes that the airline had built up in the Congo since 1924. When the new republic began its own airline, Air Congo, in June 1961, SABENA held 30 percent of that airline's shares. 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Air Congo was set up in 1961 by the Congolese government and SABENA. Air Congo began services in a close partnership with SABENA which had been serving the Belgian colony of Congo since the 1930s with DC-3s, DC-4s, and DC-6s. ...

Douglas 'Super DC-6B' aircraft remained in use with SABENA in the mid 1960s although they were no longer used on the airline's main routes; the Boeing 707s and Caravelles became the mainstay types during this decade. Douglas (not to be confused with Douglass), or its shortened form Doug, may refer to: // Douglas (surname), people so named Clan Douglas, a Scottish family Earl of Douglas, or any holder of the title Marquess of Douglas, or any holder of the title Duke of Douglas, or any holder of...

Boeing 727-100s were introduced on important European routes from 1967 in a unique colour scheme; the fin markings incorporated bare-metal rudder and white engine colours. The only other aircraft to have its own special markings was the Douglas DC-10. The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine commercial jet airliner. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... Biman Bangladesh Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-10 The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engined long-range airliner, with two engines mounted on underwing pylons and a third engine at the base of the vertical stabilizer. ...

At this time Fokker F-27 'Friendships' entered service between regional Belgian airports and European destinations such as London Heathrow. Fokkers first airplane, the Spin (1910) Fokker was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its founder, Anthony Fokker. ... A PIA F27 at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore in January, 2006 The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker. ... Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behaviour between two or more humans. ... London Heathrow Airport (IATA airport code: LHR, ICAO airport code: EGLL, and often simply Heathrow) is the United Kingdoms busiest and best-connected airport. ...

1971 saw the Boeing 747-100 introduced on transatlantic routes flying alongside the Boeing 707-320Cs. SABENA, like many other trans-Atlantic airlines was satisfied with the Boeing 707s, but for commercial reasons recognised it had to buy the new jumbo-jets for its prestige services, notably New York City and as of the mid-seventies, Chicago. SABENA purchased only two first generation jumbo-jets and continued to fly the 707 into the late 1970s. 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday. ... The Boeing 747, commonly nicknamed the Jumbo Jet, is a long-haul, widebody commercial airliner manufactured by Boeing. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... Nickname: Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location in the Chicago metro area and Illinois Coordinates: , Country United States State Illinois County Cook & DuPage Settled 1770s Incorporated March 4, 1837 Government  - Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Area  - City  234. ...

As of 1973, the Boeing 727s on the European network were replaced by the Boeing 737-200. Year 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. ... The Boeing 737 is the worlds most popular medium range, narrow body airliner. ...

The Douglas DC-10-30 entered service in 1974. In total, SABENA purchased five of these convertible wide-body jets. Biman Bangladesh Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-10 The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engined long-range airliner, with two engines mounted on underwing pylons and a third engine at the base of the vertical stabilizer. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

In 1984 Airbus A310s were introduced on routes that had high passenger-density. This aircraft type also introduced a modernisation of the 1973 SABENA livery, in which a lighter blue was used and the titles on the fuselage were in a more modern style. Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Airbus S.A.S. is the aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS N.V., a pan-European aerospace concern. ... The Airbus A310 is a medium- to long-range widebody airliner developed from the Airbus A300 and manufactured by Airbus SAS. Perhaps the greatest attribute of the A310 is that of range. ...

In June 1986 the first of two Boeing 747-300 aircraft joined the fleet, eventually replacing the older Boeing 747-100. The Boeing 747, commonly nicknamed the Jumbo Jet, is a long-haul, widebody commercial airliner manufactured by Boeing. ... The Boeing 747, commonly nicknamed the Jumbo Jet, is a long-haul, widebody commercial airliner manufactured by Boeing. ...

1990-1995

A new name, SABENA World Airlines, and colours were introduced for the 1990s. The new livery had an overall white colour and the white circle tail logo in blue on the fin. A large 'sabena' title covered the fuselage in a light blue and the name "Belgian World Airlines" was at times was barely visible although the title was also painted on the fuselage in small clear letters. The 1990s saw further fleet type renewal; the DC-10-30s were replaced with Airbus A330 and Airbus A340 jets. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... The Airbus A330 is a large-capacity, wide-body, medium-to-long-range commercial passenger airliner manufactured by EADS (Airbus S.A.S.). It was developed at the same time as the four-engined A340. ... The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engined widebody commercial passenger airliner manufactured by Airbus S.A.S. a subsidiary of EADS. It is similar in design to the twin-engined A330. ...

Ever since the European Union had decided that by the mid-nineties the European skies were to be considered a common market, meaning that airlines of a European memberstate would no longer be bound to their own country, it became apparent that SABENA had little chances to survive on its own in this very competitive market. The Belgian government, the main shareholder of the company, began searching for a fit partner.

Sabena remained in a catastrophic financial state. Year after year, the government had to fill the losses. In a rapidly changing European Union, it became clear this government funding was unsustainable. Consecutive governments charged themselves with looking for a fit partner for the airline. Interesting to note was the unwillingness of the board to enter into talks with Dutch flag carrier KLM. There was a fear in the French speaking part of Belgium that French would be overpowered by the Dutch language within Sabena. The predominantly French-speaking board of directors prevented this from happening. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (in full: Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij, literally Royal Aviation Company; usual English: Royal Dutch Airlines) is a subsidiary of Air France-KLM. Prior to its merger with Air France, KLM was the national airline of the Netherlands. ...

In 1993, Air France purchased a large minority stake in SABENA, which it sold soon after. In 1995, Swissair purchased a 49 percent stake in SABENA, a move that would bring the airline down in 2001. Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Air France (Compagnie Nationale Air France) is a subsidiary of Air France-KLM. Before its merger with KLM, it was the national airline of France, employing 71,654 people (as of March 2004). ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Swissair (Swiss Air Transport Company Limited) is the former national airline of Switzerland. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1994, Paul Rusesabagina, a manager for Sabena-owned hotels in the former Belgian colony of Rwanda, sheltered over 1,200 Tutsis and moderate Hutus at the Hôtel des Mille Collines of Kigali, saving them from being slaughtered by the Interahamwe militia during the Rwandan genocide (this is depicted in the motion picture Hotel Rwanda). Paul Rusesabagina (born June 15, 1954, pronounced rÉ™-ses-É™-bä-gÄ’n-É™) is a Rwandan who has been internationally honoured for his actions during the Rwandan Genocide. ... The Hôtel des Mille Collines is a large hotel in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. ... Kigali, population 851,024 (2005), is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... Rwandan Genocide was the 1994 mass extermination of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutu sympathizers in Rwanda and was the largest atrocity during the Rwandan Civil War. ... Hotel Rwanda is a historical drama film that shows the quiet heroism of one man, Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), during the Rwandan Genocide. ...

1995-2001

In March and April 1998 two MD-11 aircraft joined the fleet and long-haul destinations as Newark, Montreal and São Paulo were (re)introduced. Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Varig MD-11 The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 is a Widebody Trijet powered by three engines. ... Nickname: Map of Newark in Essex County County Essex Founded/Incorporated 1666/1836 Government  - Mayor Cory Booker, term of office 2006–2010 Area [1]  - City 67. ... Nickname: Motto: Concordia Salus (in unity, prosperity) Coordinates: , Country Canada Province Quebec Founded 1642 Established 1832 Government  - Mayor Gérald Tremblay Area [1][2][3]  - City 365. ... Nickname: Motto: Non ducor, duco(Latin) I am not led, I lead Location in the São Paulo state. ...

1999 saw the new colours introduced in the SABENA fleet, beginning with the Airbus Airbus A340-200 registered OO-SCW. One of the latest fleet types that SABENA has introduced, right after the A321 and A320 is the slightly shorter but of the same family size Airbus A319 which saw service in 2000. These new planes were part of a record-order of 36 Airbusses, imposed on SABENA by Swissair, 17 aircraft more than what SABENA actually needed. Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engined widebody commercial passenger airliner manufactured by Airbus S.A.S. a subsidiary of EADS. It is similar in design to the twin-engined A330. ... The Airbus A320 is a short to medium range commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Airbus. ... The Airbus A320 is a short-to-medium range commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Airbus. ... The Airbus A320 is a short to medium range commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Airbus. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

After an airline recession and the effects on the airline industry of September 11, 2001, all airlines that flew across the Atlantic suffered badly. September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Swissair had pledged itself to invest millions into SABENA, but failed to do this, partly because the airline had financial problems itself, and partly because of new management. Sabena operated its final flight on November 7, 2001. The company filed for legal protection against its creditors on October 3, and went into liquidation on November 6, 2001. Fred Chaffart, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sabena, read a declaration on this day to explain the decision. Swissair (Swiss Air Transport Company Limited) is the former national airline of Switzerland. ... is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 3 is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... November 6 is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fred Chaffart (b. ...

A group of investors managed to take over Delta Air Transport, one of SABENA's subsidiaries, and transformed it into SN Brussels Airlines. Delta Air Transport was an airline based in Belgium. ... SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) is the trading name of the Belgian airline Delta Air Transport operating from Brussels Airport. ...

The Belgian parliament started a committee to investigate the reasons behind the bankruptcy and the involvement of the Swiss. At the same time, the company's administrator investigated possible legal steps against Swissair, and its successor Swiss International Airlines, the new name of Swissair's subsidiary Crossair. Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A321 Swiss International Air Lines was formed before the 2001 bankruptcy of Swissair, Switzerlands former flag carrier. ... Crossair was an airline based in Switzerland, founded by Moritz Suter. ...

2001-present

SN Airholding announced on March 31, 2006, that SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express, both owned by the holding will be merged into one company. Rumours persisted that this airline could be re-branded Sabena, marking a return to the skies of the famous name. Eventually, the name Brussels Airlines was chosen. This new airline also got rid of the famous Sabena S-tail. March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (91st in leap years), with 275 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... SN Brussels Airlines (SNBA) is the trading name of the Belgian airline Delta Air Transport operating from Brussels Airport. ... A Boeing 737 of Virgin Express Virgin Express is an airline which was created within the Virgin Group. ... Brussels Airlines is the Belgian national carrier and is based at Brussels Airport in Belgium. ...

In 2006, the Belgian government, a major shareholder of SABENA, filed criminal charges against the former Swissair management, the outcome is still pending.

On January 16, 2007, the Belgian - Flemish news program Terzake reported that during the nineties, several members of the board were paid large sums illegally through a SABENA affiliate located in Bermuda. When Paul Reutlinger became the CEO of the company, he stopped the illegal payments. The program goes on to state that this might be the explanation why the Belgian board members remained quiet when it became apparent that Swissair was exploiting SABENA and, eventually, drove the company into bankruptcy. January 16 is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Reasons for bankruptcy

The reasons for SABENA's bankruptcy are numerous. The direct cause was Swissair not living up to their contractual obligations and failing to inject necessary funds into the company. During the so called "Hotel agreement", signed on July 17, 2001, Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt met with Swissair boss Mario Corti, who agreed to inject €258 million into SABENA. The sum was never paid. The purchase of 34 new Airbus planes, imposed by the Swiss, was a burden SABENA could not cope with.^{[citation needed]} July 17 is the 198th day of the year (199th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Guy Verhofstadt (help· info) (born April 11, 1953) is a Belgian politician, municipal councillor in Ghent and current Prime Minister of Belgium. ... Airbus S.A.S. is the aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS N.V., a pan-European aerospace concern. ...

Throughout it's existence, SABENA had often been in financial difficulties. The Belgian government being the main shareholder had never given sufficient funding to really give the airline a chance to survive. In the world of business you need to have money to make money. Something Sabena did not have the means for. The result was the government was less and less willing to pay for it's own mistakes and wanted to brush off all responsibility so an investor had to be found. There were negotiations with numerous airlines, such as SAS, KLM, British Airways and Air France. Eventually, Swissair bought a stake in the airline. But Swissair wanted to grow too fast and too big. As a majority stakeholder Swissair forced Sabena to completely renew their fleet with new Airbus aircraft and at the same time tried to gain funds from Sabena to make up for their own losses (e.g. switching the Sabena on-board catering services with their own, hugely overpriced ones). The collapse of Swissair in late 2001 was soon followed by that of SABENA. An ultimate rescue plan did not get the approval of a Brussels court, which ruled that the plan was going to lead to nothing more than a controlled bankruptcy of the airline, only to create a new company. By Belgian law this is considered as fraud. The judge had no choice to reject the plan, denying SABENA legal protection against its creditors. The board saw no other option than to file for bankruptcy, leading to the biggest bankruptcy in the history of Belgium. 7586 employees lost their job at SABENA, and thousands of other jobs were threatened at the companies that were dependant of the airline. Look up sas, SAS in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (in full: Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij, literally Royal Aviation Company; usual English: Royal Dutch Airlines) is a subsidiary of Air France-KLM. Prior to its merger with Air France, KLM was the national airline of the Netherlands. ... For the 1930s airline of similar name, see British Airways Ltd. ... Air France (Compagnie Nationale Air France) is a subsidiary of Air France-KLM. Before its merger with KLM, it was the national airline of France, employing 71,654 people (as of March 2004). ...

After the bankruptcy, a parliamentary commission in Belgium was established to investigate the demise of the airline. The commission came to the conclusion that Swissair took the major part of the blame for the bankruptcy of Sabena. The Swiss "plundered" the airline, according to the commission. But the Belgian politicians got part of the blame as well. The commission failed to call any minister by name, but for those willing to read between the lines, the conclusions were clear. According to the report, minister of transportation Elio Di Rupo didn't search actively enough for a partner for SABENA and ended up with Swissair; Minister for Government Companies Rik Daems failed to act properly during the last crisis year of SABENA and prime minister Guy Verhofstadt failed to secure enough assurances from the Swiss when he signed the "Hotel Agreement". Elio Di Rupo Elio Di Rupo (born July 18, 1951) is the leader of one of the two Belgian socialist parties, the French-speaking Parti Socialiste (PS), and one of Belgiums most powerful politicians. ... Hendrik (Rik) Daems (Aarschot, 18 August 1959) is a Flemish painter, wine trader and politician. ... Guy Verhofstadt (help· info) (born April 11, 1953) is a Belgian politician, municipal councillor in Ghent and current Prime Minister of Belgium. ...

The Swiss (with 49% of the shares) are certainly at fault but ultimately it was the majority shareholder, namely the Belgian Government, who was most to blame for gross negligence, allowing Swissair to plunder SABENA while turning a blind eye to the warnings of many people within SABENA and the Belgian aviation industry concerning what was going on.

After the bankruptcy, nostalgia abounded in Belgium, especially amongst former staff who tearfully began referring to themselves as "Sabeniens" and wanted to revive the defunct airline, but it wasn't meant to be.

Hijackings

On 8 May 1972 a Boeing 707 was hijacked by 4 hijackers at Tel Avid-Lod International Airport (Israel). The four hijackers demanded release of prisoners. Two hijackers were shot and killed by military personnel, dressed as ground engineers. One passenger died 8 days later as a result of her wounds.

On 13 October 2000 an Airbus A330 (flight SN689) was hijacked during a flight from Brussels to Abidjan. A Nigerian man being deported from Belgium was released from his restraints, ran to the cockpit and forced the crew to land in Spain. The hijacker was overpowered by Spanish police.

Fleet

Sabena's fleet consisted of the following aircraft at the time of the bankruptcy in November 2001:
Airbus A319-100 - 15 Aircraft + 11 aircraft on order
Airbus A320-200 - 6 Aircraft
Airbus A321-200 - 3 Aircraft
Airbus A330-200 - 6 Aircraft
Airbus A330-300 - 4 Aircraft
Airbus A340-200 - 2 Aircraft
Airbus A340-300 - 2 Aircraft + 4 aircraft on order
Boeing 737-300 - 6 Aircraft
Boeing 737-500 - 5 Aircraft
BAe 146 - 6 Aircraft (Operated by DAT)
Avro RJ100 - 12 Aircraft (Operated by DAT)
Avro RJ85 - 14 Aircraft (Operated by DAT)
ATR-72 200 - 2 Aircraft (Operated by Schreiner Airways)
Dash-8 300 - 4 Aircraft (Operated by Schreiner Airways)
The Airbus A320 is a short to medium range commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Airbus. ... The Airbus A320 is a short to medium range commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Airbus. ... The Airbus A320 is a short to medium range commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Airbus. ... Air Canada Airbus A330 The Airbus A330 is a large_capacity medium_to_long_range commercial passenger airplane manufactured by Airbus. ... Air Canada Airbus A330 The Airbus A330 is a large_capacity medium_to_long_range commercial passenger airplane manufactured by Airbus. ... The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engined widebody commercial passenger airliner manufactured by Airbus S.A.S. a subsidiary of EADS. It is similar in design to the twin-engined A330. ... The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engined widebody commercial passenger airliner manufactured by Airbus S.A.S. a subsidiary of EADS. It is similar in design to the twin-engined A330. ... The Boeing 737 is the worlds most popular medium range, narrow body airliner. ... The Boeing 737 is the worlds most popular medium range, narrow body airliner. ... The BAe 146 (also known as the Avro RJ) is a medium-sized commercial aircraft manufactured by BAE SYSTEMS. It carries its four jet engines on a high wing above the fuselage; not below, or at mid-fuselage, as on most conventional civilian aircraft. ... The BAe 146 (also known as the Avro RJ) is a medium-sized commercial aircraft manufactured by BAE Systems. ... SN Brussels Airlines Avro RJ85 The BAe 146 (also known as the Avro RJ) is a medium-sized commercial aircraft which was manufactured by BAE Systems until 2002. ... The Italian-French based aircraft manufacturer Aerei da Trasporto Regionale or Avions de Transport Régional (ATR) was formed in 1981, from the consortium formed by Aérospatiale of France (now EADS) and Aeritalia (now Alenia Aeronautica), of Italy. ... Schreiner Airways was a charter, passenger and cargo airline based in the Netherlands. ... A DeHavilland DHC-8-102 belonging to Air Inuit at Cornwall Ontario, May 2005 The de Havilland Canada DHC-8, popularly the Dash 8, is a series of twin-turboprop airliners designed by de Havilland Canada in the early 1980s. ... Schreiner Airways was a charter, passenger and cargo airline based in the Netherlands. ...

External links

• Sabena Flight Academy
• Sabeniens
• Former Official Website
• Official Virtual Airline