Virgin Express

Virgin Express was a Belgian low-cost airline based in Brussels and based on the Brussels Airport. She was up to its amalgamation with SN Brussels Airlines (now Brussels Airlines ) is a subsidiary of the British Virgin Group.

History

Virgin Express was the name Eurobelgian Airlines ( EBA) established in 1991 to fill the resulting gap in the market after the bankruptcy of the Trans European Airways (TEA ). It was initially established as a charter airline.

Only five years later took over Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, the company completely. It was renamed the Virgin Express and from now on they tried as a low-cost airline on the Belgian market, which was then ruled by Sabena to conquer. Soon after, however, a partnership was with this closed in order to avoid direct competition.

However, Sabena went bankrupt also to the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 and the bankruptcy of Swissair, the primary owner. From now on Virgin Express cooperated with the Sabena successor company SN Brussels Airlines and merged with this in 2005, first under each an independent brand identity. In March 2006, the two airlines to want to continue in the future under a name of the common parent company, SN Airholding decided. According to the original orientations of the two companies as cheap or scheduled carrier under the common name should be two products are offered. With this merger, Virgin Express was eventually abandoned as an independent airline.

Destinations

Virgin Express offered mainly flights from Brussels to southern Europe. Most airports the airline were in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Greece. Destinations outside of southern Europe were next to Brussels and Amsterdam, which was connected with Rome, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich.

Fleet

As of February 2007, the fleet of Virgin Express consisted of ten aircraft:

• 5 Boeing 737-300
• 5 Boeing 737-400