SkyStef's aviation page
 

home  |  e-mail    

 

Virgin Express




Taken at Brussels in July 1999, the B737-300 is wearing the first color scheme of Virgin.  (Photo: Skystef)    

              


 

Base: Brussels
IATA: TV
ICAO: VEX
Website: brusselsairlines.com
Fleet of Virgin Express: 24x B737 (OO-LTL, OO-LTM, OO-LTP, OO-LTU, OO-LTV, OO-LTW, OO-LTY, OO-VBR, OO-VEA, OO-VEB, OO-VEC, OO-VED, OO-VEE, OO-VEF, OO-VEG, OO-VEH, OO-VEJ, .OO-VEK, OO-VEN, OO-VEO, OO-VEP, OO-VES, OO-VET, OO-VEX) +  2x B737-200 (G-BECG, G-BECH), 3x A320 (2 leased from Transaer (EI-TLP, EI-TLS) + 1 leased from Constellation (OO-COH)), 1x Tristar leased from Aer Turas (EI-CNN), 1x DC10 leased from Laker Airways (N831LA).
History: Virgin Express was formed as Eurobelgian Airlines in November 1991 by the City Hotels Group and ex-TEA staff from the assets of TEA. On April 1 1992 holiday charters to Mediterranean resorts began with three B737-300. On November 24 1994, under the marketing name of EBA Express, low cost scheduled services were launched to Vienna, Rome and Barcelona, in 1995 followed by Madrid and Milan. Air Provence Charter was formed on November 11 1995, a joint venture between EBA and Air Provence International, to operate charters from Paris with equipment of EBA. On April 4 1996 EBA was sold to the Virgin group, officially changing its name to Virgin Express on August 1 1996. The French subsidiary was renamed to Virgin Express France on March 20 1998 but ceased operations on March 1 1999. Another subsidiary was formed in September 1998: Virgin Express Ireland which was active between December 1998 and March 2001. Virgin Express expanded its scheduled European network during the nineties and new millennium, not only from Brussels but also from other European airfields like Barcelona, Rome and Amsterdam. Virgin Express was sold to SN Holdings on April 12 2005, which led to a merger with SN Brussels Airlines. On November 7 2006 the new name and corporate identity was unveiled: Brussels Airlines and became fully operational on March 25 2007. The final B737 airplane switched its distinct red color scheme to the new outfit on February 12 2007.

 

Belgian Airlines