Virgin Express
Airline of Belgium (1996–2007)
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Virgin Express was a Belgian airline created within the Virgin Group. It operated flights mainly to southern Europe from its hub at Brussels Airport. Ticket sales were mainly through the Internet. The airline merged to form Brussels Airlines in November 2006.[1] Virgin Express' head office was in Building 116 at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, Belgium, near Brussels.[2][3]
- November 1991 (as EBA - EuroBelgian Airlines)
- 23 April 1996 (as Virgin Express)
- 1 April 1992 (as EBA - EuroBelgian Airlines)
- 1 August 1996 (as Virgin Express)
- 1 August 1996 (as EBA - EuroBelgian Airlines)
- 25 March 2007 (as Virgin Express; merged with SN Brussels Airlines to form Brussels Airlines)
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| Hubs | Brussels Airport | ||||||
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| Headquarters | Brussels Airport, Zaventem, Belgium | ||||||
| Key people | Richard Branson (chairman of Virgin Group) | ||||||
History
On 23 April 1996, the Virgin Group (with chairman Richard Branson) bought the Belgian leisure airline EBA-EuroBelgian Airlines, founded by Victor Hasson and Georges Gutelman, and renamed it Virgin Express on September 2 of that same year.[4] It also took over EBA's fleet of Boeing 737s and operated this type of aircraft from thereon. The airline soon concentrated on low-budget scheduled flights out of its Brussels hub, and became a major competitor for Sabena and later SN Brussels Airlines.
In October 2004, the Virgin Group sold the ownership to Delta Air Transport, and both airlines were placed under the control of SN Airholding holding company, chaired by Viscount Étienne Davignon. On 31 March 2006, SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express announced their merger into a single company, to be named Brussels Airlines. The combined airline added long haul destinations and strengthened its position in Africa.[5]
Fleet
During its 11-year existence, Virgin Express had operated the following aircraft:[6]
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 1 | 1997 | 1997 | Leased from Constellation International Airlines |
| Boeing 737-200 | 2 | 1997 | 1997 | Leased from AirFoyle Passenger Airlines |
| Boeing 737-300 | 15 | 1996 | 2007 | |
| Boeing 737-400 | 11 | 1996 | 2007 | |
| Lockheed L-1011 TriStar | 1 | 1998 | 1998 | Leased from Aer Turas |
| McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 | 1 | 1998 | 1998 | Used for charter flights for summer |
