Air Belgium has successfully undertaken
its rst revenue ights. The start-up carrier,
which intends to offer premium long-haul
connections from its Charleroi base,operated several rotations from Amsterdam
and Brussels to Paramaribo in late Marchand early April on behalf of Surinam Airways.
It is expected to launch its own scheduled
services, to Hong Kong, imminently.
Bastiaan HartAirbus A340, registration OO-ABA, in its eye-
catching Air Belgium livery. Bastiaan HartAir Belgium Starts Commercial Services
More 777Fs to Join Qatar Fleet
A letter of intent has been signed by Qatar
Airways for ve Boeing 777 freighters. The
agreement was signed during a ceremony
attended by Qatari Minister of Finance and
Qatar Airways Chairman Ali Sharif Al Emadi,
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar
Al Baker and Boeing Commercial Aircraft
President and CEO Kevin McAllister on April
10.
“The addition of ve 777 Freighters is asigni cant moment for our cargo division,” said
Al Baker. “As the world’s third largest cargo
operator, Qatar Airways continues to invest
in eet expansion. This transaction will be
a reinforcement of our con dence in Boeing
to continue to deliver an outstanding product
that meets our exacting standards. We expect
no less than perfection, and we are con dent
Boeing will continue to deliver that.” Qatar
Airways currently operates 13 777Fs andrecently added two 747-8Fs.
McAllister remarked: “We are proud of our
long-standing partnership with Qatar Airways
and we value their business and the positive
impact on Boeing, our employees, suppliers
and communities. We are honoured that
one of the world’s leading international
cargo carriers recognises the unmatched
capabilities of the 777 Freighter to continue
to lift its growing freight operations.”Flying Schools to Leave Biggin Hill
London Biggin Hill Airport’s ying schools
have been told they will have to nd new
homes by the autumn. Airport Managing
Director, Will Curtis, said maintaining ightsafety was paramount amid increasing
business jet traffic, and light aircraft own
by inexperienced pilots needed to be
separated from high-performance jets.Resident ying establishments affected
include the EFG Flying School, the Alouette
Flying Club and the Surrey and Kent Flying
Club. Rod SimpsonThe rst Airbus A330neo for low-cost
airline WOW air has rolled out of the paint
shop in Toulouse. The Icelandic airline will
take delivery of the aircraft on lease from
Avolon later in 2018, and will become the
third operator of the type. WOW air has
a eet of 18 aircraft (15 A320s and three
A330s). This will increase to 24 by the end
of this year.WOW air was founded in November
2011 and currently serves 36 destinations
across Europe, North America and Asia.
The aircraft will feature a twin-class cabin
layout with 42 premium economy seats
and 323 in economy.CIVIL NEWS
10 Aviation News incorporating Jets June 2018WOW’s rst A330neo shortly after the
paintwork had been applied at Toulouse.
Airbus/JB Accariez-master fi lmsWOW air’s First A330neo
Rolled Out
SAS Places Big
Airbus Order
SAS Scandinavian Airlines has con rmed
an order for 35 Airbus A320neos, which are
scheduled for delivery between spring 2019
and 2023 and will replace the Boeing 737
and A320ceos currently in service. “Just
over one year ago, we started to phase in
brand new A320neos, and since then we
have received a very positive response
from our customers,” remarked Rickard
Gustafson, President of SAS. “I’m therefore
delighted that, through this order, we can
continue improving and investing in our
customer offering, and thereby SAS’s future.”
SAS has also outlined plans to acquire
another Rolls-Royce Trent 772B-powered
A330-300. The jet is due for delivery in 2019
and will increase the eet to nine examples.10-12_civil_newsDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 10 04/05/2018 14: