BRUSSELS and ANTWERP, Belgium, Jan. 31, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Belgian low fare airline Virgin Express (Euronext Brussels:VIRE) (OTCBB:VIRGY) and the Belgian regional airline VLM Airlines have signed a code share agreement on the Brussels-London City route. This agreement, which will replace the present code share agreement that VLM has with SN Brussels Airlines, will enter into effect as from March 30, 2003.
Virgin Express operated flights between Brussels and Heathrow from October 1996 until October of last year. The Belgium low fare airline made use of the Heathrow landing slots that were previously owned by Sabena and which were transferred to SN Brussels Airlines a couple of days before Sabena went bankrupt. Last Summer SN Brussels Airlines transferred these slots to other airlines and Virgin Express lost its access to the London market.
VLM Airlines has been operating on the Brussels-London City route since November 2001.
Neil Burrows, Managing Director of Virgin Express, commented: "In recent months, I have received hundreds of letters and e-mails from people who used to fly to Heathrow with Virgin Express asking when we would resume flights to London. Now we are not only back in that important market but also in the airport closest to the city centre. Naturally, I am delighted that VLM Airlines has agreed to our partnership to develop the route in close cooperation. I am convinced that by combining VLM's operational flexibility and reliability with Virgin Express's distribution network, the two independent Belgian airlines, neither of which has ever received government aid, will stimulate the travel market between Belgium and the London area."
Johan Vanneste, Managing Director of VLM Airlines, shares this point of view: "We are very excited about this new partnership. Being the largest carrier at London City Airport, VLM Airlines can offer all the added value of flying direct into the only London airport with a central London 0207 phone number. The airport is ideally situated in the immediate vicinity of London's financial district and VLM Airlines services meet all the of business people: high frequency schedules, great on-time performance and a high quality in-flight service. With an ever-increasing number of business passengers aboard Virgin Express's aircraft, I am convinced that VLM Airlines and London City Airport will also strongly appeal to Virgin Express customers. In addition, I think it is fair to say VLM Airlines and Virgin Express have quite a few things in common: we are not only independent, we are also the two only Belgian carriers that run a profitable operation."
The five daily rotations between Brussels and London City Airport will be operated by VLM's Fokker 50s (50 seats).
It will be possible to make reservations for these services as from February 6, 2003.
About VLM Airlines
In the course of the years, VLM Airlines has become a reference for business travelers and tourists alike who wish to shuttle between the Benelux and the United Kingdom in the shortest time possible. The regional carrier fulfilled a pioneering role at London City Airport; a time-efficient airport in the centre of London perfectly suited for flexible air travel to and from the British capital.
VLM Airlines started its activities in May 1993 with a scheduled flight between Antwerp and London City Airport. Today, VLM offers more flights from London City Airport than any other carrier, with daily operations to Antwerp, Brussels, Luxembourg, Manchester and Rotterdam. VLM Airlines also offers flights to Manchester and Milan from Antwerp and Rotterdam.
About Virgin Express
In 2002 Virgin Express booked and flew 2.7 million passengers, thus becoming the largest passenger carrier from Brussels Airport. The Belgian low fare carrier was named "Best Short Haul Carrier of the Year 2002" by the Belgian travel trade industry.
From March 30, 2003, Virgin Express offers its new Rome-Amsterdam service together with flights from Brussels to Athens, Barcelona, Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Faro, Geneva, Gothenburg, Lisbon, Madrid, Malaga, Milan, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Rome and Stockholm.