Air Belgium takes delivery of first A330neo

Air Belgium (KF, Brussels Charleroi) took delivery of its first of two A330-900s on October 8 following the arrival of OO-ABG (msn 1861) at Brussels National. It will be followed by sistership OO-ABF (msn 1844), which, according to a company statement, will arrive at the end of November.

Both jets are leased from Thunderbolt Aircraft Lease and feature 286 seats, of which 30 are in premium class, 21 in premium-economy, and 235 in economy.

Operationally, the privately-owned Belgian carrier will deploy OO-ABG into service on October 15 on 2x weekly flights from Brussels National to Mauritius. Together, the two A330neo will be used to both reinforce Air Belgium’s winter 2021/22 schedule which, aside from the Indian Ocean island, will also include 2x weekly flights to Curacao via Punta Cana.

Air Belgium will use the A330neo to eventually replace its fleet of three A340-300s. This winter season, the quadjets will operate out of Brussels Charleroi to Fort de France and Pointe à Pitre in the French West Indies, ch-aviation schedules data reveals.

Meanwhile, Yves Prete has been appointed board chairman of the airline following the retirement of Eric Bauche. Prete was previously vice-president.