VLM Airlines
 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Founded | 1992 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubs | London City Airport | ||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | Flying Blue (Air France-KLM) | ||||||
| Fleet size | 15 | ||||||
| Destinations | 15 | ||||||
| Parent company | Air France-KLM | ||||||
| Headquarters | Antwerp International Airport Deurne, Antwerp, Belgium | ||||||
| Key people | Johan Vanneste (CEO) | ||||||
| Website | Cityjet.com | ||||||
VLM Airlines (where "VLM" is an abbreviation of Vlaamse Luchttransportmaatschappij, "Flemish Air Transport Company") is a Belgian airline whose head office is in Airport Building B50 at Antwerp International Airport in Deurne, Antwerp.[1][2] Now 100%-owned by CityJet, all flying operations are carried out for CityJet and the fleet of Fokker 50 aircraft fly in CityJet livery.
History
VLM Airlines started operations in May 1993 with a scheduled service between Antwerp Airport and London City Airport. The airline now employs over 400 people, and carried 745,781 passengers in 2007. Its original hub was Antwerp, but the airline now has its base at London City Airport[3].
In 2008 the airline reported its tenth consecutive year of profits for the year ending 31 December 2007, it had a net profit of 3.6m euros. Turnover grew to 112m euros and passenger numbers rose 9% to 745,781 during 2007[4].
On 24 December 2007, Air France-KLM announced that they had signed an agreement for a full takeover of the company from Panta Holdings [5].
Air France-KLM announced on 28 May 2009 that VLM Airlines would gradually start to operate under the brand name CityJet. The name CityJet was already in use by the Irish regional partner of Air France-KLM. In 2010 the name VLM Airlines had been replaced altogether by CityJet.[6] As a result, VLM Airlines replaced its frequent flyer program, VLM Encore, with Air France-KLM's Flying Blue and flyvlm.com was merged with the CityJet website.
Destinations
- Belgium
- Antwerp Airport Base
- France
- Germany
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
Destinations no longer served by VLM include Liverpool, Southampton, Isle of Man, Brussels, Geneva and Frankfurt.
VLM Airlines has one Fokker 50 on standby for ad hoc-charter flights, available for flights across Europe & Northern Africa. The airline also flies on ACMI-basis for other airlines, including Air France, Flybe and Aer Arann when extra capacity is needed.
Fleet
Current
The VLM Airlines fleet includes the following aircraft (at January 2011):[7]
| Type | Total | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fokker 50 | 15 | 50 | All in CityJet livery |
On 16 February 2010, CityJet launched a new configuration on their aircraft, including the Fokker 50's taken in the merger. They are now fitted with CityPlus, a 4 abreast premium economy class along with CityValue, the standard economy.[8]
Retired fleet
In the year 2007 VLM used a BAe 146-300 wet leased from Flightline.
Service
VLM used to promote itself as Europe's leading "Business Airline" and tried to reflect this in its pursuit of superior service. Onboard, passengers were served fresh meals, and were able to request a vegetarian or kosher meal at the time of reservation. Meals were presented on a half-tray, and all passengers were served drinks in real glasses with tea and coffee served in china cups. Such features are not commonly found on short haul airlines.
After the CiyJet/Air France takeover, this product was downgraded to move in line to reflect the Air France-KLM product on short-haul flights. There is now a simple service of sandwiches and drinks, with glassware and china cups replaced by plastic. However, small features of VLM still remain, with the handing out of boiled sweets before take off and the distribution of Belgian chocolates mid-flight.
References
- ^ "Our Offices." CityJet. Retrieved on 6 July 2010. "Antwerp office VLM Airlines Belgium NV Luchthavengebouw B50 B 2100 Antwerp Belgium Company registration number 0446.670.251."
- ^ "Your VLM contacts." VLM Airlines. 1 August 2003. Retrieved on 6 July 2010. "Headquarters VLM Airlines Belgium NV Luchthavengebouw B50 B 2100 Deurne Antwerpen."
- ^ VLM website map of destinations showing London City as the hub
- ^ Annual financial summary 2007-08
- ^ Message on the VLM website announcing the takeover access date 24 December 2007
- ^ Belgian Newspaper about VLM and Cityjet (in dutch)
- ^ VLM fleet list at ch-aviation.ch; Retrieved 15 January 2011
- ^ CityJet launch CityPlus
External links
{{{inline}}}