Air Belgium takes receipt of first plane

Just as the future of Brussels Airlines is up in the air (so to speak), the new airline Air Belgium will receive its first aircraft tonight.

It’s the final step in getting its license approved by flight authorities, which it hopes will now be swift. The low-cost airline would like to schedule its first flight out of Charleroi– to China – by the end of March.

Air Belgium was founded by a group of executives and firms, including CEO Tiky Terzakis, previously managing director of cargo firm ASL Airlines Belgium. It plans to offer flights to Asia from its base at Charleroi South.

The new Airbus 340 is arriving at Brussels Airport in order to be painted with the Air Belgium colours and logo. Then it will be moved to Charleroi. According to the airline, 600 jobs will be created to support the airline.

Despite being billed as a low-cost airline, Air Belgium will have an economy, premium and business class.