Sabena
Encyclopedia
SABENA was the national airline of Belgium
from 1923 to 2001, with its base at Brussels National Airport
. After its bankruptcy in 2001, the newly formed SN Brussels Airlines
took over part of SABENA's assets in February 2002, which then became Brussels Airlines
. The airline had its corporate headquarters in the Sabena House on the grounds of Brussels Airport
in Zaventem
.
. It had been created by the Belgian government after its predecessor SNETA
(Syndicat national pour l'étude des transports aériens) - formed in 1919 to pioneer commercial aviation in Belgium - ceased operations. The first commercial flight of SABENA was operated between Brussels
and London
(UK) on 1 July 1923 via Ostend. Services to Rotterdam
(Netherlands) and Strasbourg
(France) were launched on 1 April 1924. The Strasbourg service was extended to Basle (Switzerland) on 10 June 1924. Amsterdam (Netherlands) was added on 1 September 1924, and Hamburg (Germany) followed on 1 May 1929 via Antwerp, Düsseldorf, and Essen.
colony
who lost their air service - an experimental passenger and cargo company (LARA
) between Léopoldville
, Lisala
, and Stanleyville - a year earlier and expected the new Belgian national airline to fill this gap. On 12 February 1925, therefore, SABENA pioneered its long haul across Africa
to Leopoldville
, capital of the Belgian Congo. Throughout its history, SABENA had a long tradition of service to African destinations. For a long time, these were the only profitable routes served by the airline.
SABENA chose to use landplanes for its Congo operations and a program of aerodrome construction was initiated in the Congo. This was finished in 1926 and SABENA immediately began flights within the Belgian colony, the main route being Boma
-Léopoldville
-Élisabethville, a 2,288 km (1,422 mi) route over dense jungle
. First, flights were operated with De Havilland DH.50 aircraft, although these were quickly replaced with the larger Handley Page W.8f airliners, which had three engines and offered ten seats.
By 1931 SABENA's fleet, including the aircraft used on the Congo network, totalled 43 aircraft. Its mainstay type was the Fokker F.VII
B with a lesser number of the smaller Fokker 7A and 14 Handley-Page types. It also used British Westland Wessex
aircraft.
SABENA flew aircraft out to tropical Africa, Belgium's Congo colony, occasionally, but mostly these aircraft were shipped out. There was no direct flight yet between Belgium and its colony. As the 1930s progressed, SABENA cooperated with Air France
and Deutsche Luft Hansa
, which also had interests in routes to destinations across Africa.
SABENA's first long-haul flight to the Congo occurred on 12 February 1935 and took five and a half days, for which SABENA used a Fokker F-VII/3m aircraft. The following year, SABENA purchased the Savoia-Marchetti SM.73 airliner. With a speed of 300 km/h (200 mph), it reduced the journey time taken to only four days, and the SABENA service ran on alternate weeks to an Air Afrique
service.
and Malmö
in 1931. A route to Berlin was initiated in 1932. The mainstay pre-war airliner that SABENA used in Europe, was the successful Junkers Ju-52/3m airliner. The airline's pre-war routes covered almost 6,000 km within Europe. While the Brussels Haren airport was Sabena's main base, the company also operated services from other Belgian airports, and had a domestic network that was mainly used by businessmen who wanted to be in their coastal villas for the weekend.
In 1938, the airline purchased the new Savoia-Marchetti SM.83, a development of the S.M. 73 with a speed of 435 km/h (270 mph), although it flew services at a cruising speed of about 400 km/h (250 mph).
s.
During the war the airline managed to maintain its Belgian Congo routes, but all European services ceased.
s (the military variant of the DC-3) available to help airlines restart operations after the war.) The airline now flew under the name of SABENA - Belgian World Airlines.
On 18 September 1946, the SABENA DC-4 OO-CBG crashed near Gander International Airport
(Newfoundland), killing 27 of the 44 people on board. Crash locationhttp://www.zianet.com/tmorris/ganderrescue.html http://uscgaviationhistory.aoptero.org/images/RESCUE%20IN%20NEWFOUNDLAND.pdf http://uscgaviationhistory.aoptero.org/images/Ten%20feet%20Tall.pdf
SABENA started its first transatlantic route to New York City
on 4 June 1947, initially using Douglas DC-4
airliners, which were augmented and later replaced by Douglas DC-6B
s. These 'fours' and 'six-Bs' also restarted the airline's traditional route to the Belgian Congo. SABENA were first to introduce transatlantic schedules from the North of England, when the airline's DC-6B OO-CTH inaugurated its Brussels-Manchester-New York route on 28 October 1953.
The Convair 240
was introduced in 1949 to partially replace the DC-3's that until then flew most European services. As of 1956, Convair 440 'Metropolitan' twins started to replace the Convair 240 twins and were used successfully well into the 1960s across European regional destinations.
In 1957, the long-haul Douglas DC-7C
was introduced for long-haul routes but this plane would be supplanted after only three years by the jet age
.
On 3 June 1954, a Sabena-operated DC-3 on a cargo flight from the UK to Yugoslavia was strafed by a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
, killing the radio operator and wounding both the captain and engineer. Co-pilot Douglas Wilson managed to land in Austria but the plane suffered significant damage.
For the 1958 world exposition in Brussels, Sabena hired a couple of Lockheed Constellation
s, using them mainly on transatlantic routes. In the same period, there were experiments with helicopter passenger service from Brussels to Antwerp, Rotterdam and Eindhoven.
1960 saw the introduction of the new Boeing 707-320
intercontinental jet for long-haul trans-Atlantic flights to New York
. SABENA was mainland Europe's first airline to operate a jet across the Atlantic (BOAC
- now British Airways - had been flying jet transatlantic services using the de Havilland Comet 4
since 4 October 1958). Tragically, one of SABENA's aircraft became the first Boeing 707 to crash while in commercial service when Flight 548
crashed while preparing to land at Brussels on 15 February 1961. The United States Figure Skating Team was aboard the aircraft, en route from New York to Prague via Brussels to compete in a figure skating championship.
Six Caravelle
jetliners were introduced on all medium-haul routes in Europe from February 1961, being flown on most routes alongside the Convair 440s, until the early 1970s.
1961 also saw a major upheaval for SABENA in the Congo
colony. Widespread rioting against Belgian colonials in the months leading up to, and after the independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
, caused thousands of Belgians to flee the country. The Belgian government commandeered SABENA's entire long haul fleet to get the refugees back to Europe. Independence also meant the end of the impressive regional network of routes that the airline had built up in the Congo since 1924. When the new republic began its own airline, Air Congo, in June 1961, SABENA held 30 percent of that airline's shares.
The Douglas DC-6B
aircraft remained in use with SABENA in the mid 1960s although they were no longer used on the airline's main routes; the Boeing 707s and Caravelles became the mainstay types during this decade.
Boeing 727-100s
were introduced on important European routes from 1967 in a unique colour scheme; the fin markings incorporated bare-metal rudder and white engine colours. The only other aircraft to have its own special markings was the Douglas DC-10.
At this time Fokker F27 Friendship
s entered service between regional Belgian airports and European destinations such as London Heathrow.
1971 saw the introduction of the Boeing 747-100 on transatlantic routes flying alongside the Boeing 707-320Cs. SABENA, like many other trans-Atlantic airlines was satisfied with the Boeing 707s, but for commercial reasons recognised it had to buy the new jumbo-jets for its prestige services, notably New York JFK and as of the mid-seventies, Chicago O'Hare. SABENA purchased only two first generation jumbo-jets and continued to fly the 707 into the late 1970s.
As of 1973, the Boeing 727s on the European network were replaced by the Boeing 737-200.
The Douglas DC-10-30
entered service in 1974. In total, SABENA purchased five of these convertible (Passengers and/or freight) wide-body jets.
In 1984 Airbus A310
s were introduced on routes that had high passenger-density. This aircraft type also introduced a modernisation of the 1973 SABENA livery, in which a lighter blue was used and the titles on the fuselage were in a more modern style.
In June 1986 the first of two Boeing 747-300 aircraft joined the fleet, eventually replacing the older 747-100.
In an advertisement in National Geographic June 1982 (volume 161, no. 6) Sabena was priding itself with a superior inflight service. "And unlike most European airlines Sabena still offers First Class
service within Europe and all the way through." This advertisement also states that "Sabena flies to 76 destinations on 4 continents" and uses the slogan "belgian world airlines" (written with no capital letters).
In 1989, Sabena invited Belgian fashion designer Olivier Strelli
to create a new range of uniforms for their cabin crew.
and four-engined Airbus A340
.
After the liberalisation of the airline industry, it became apparent that SABENA had little chances to survive on its own in this very competitive market. The Belgian government, the main shareholder of the company, began searching for a fit partner.
Sabena remained in a catastrophic financial state. Year after year, the Belgian government had to fill the losses. The government was however prevented from funding due to EU anti-state aid rules. Consecutive governments charged themselves with looking for a fit partner for the airline.
In 1993, Air France
purchased a large minority stake in SABENA, which it sold soon after. In 1995, Swissair
purchased a 49 percent stake in SABENA.
In 1993 Sabena's head office was in the Air Terminus building on Rue Cardinal Mercier in Brussels
.
, Montreal
and São Paulo
were (re)introduced.
1999 saw new colours introduced in the SABENA fleet, beginning with an Airbus A340
. One of the latest fleet types that SABENA has introduced, right after the A321
and A320
is the A319
which saw service in 2000. These new planes were part of a record-order of 36 Airbuses, imposed on SABENA when under Swissair management.
After an airline recession and the effects on the airline industry of the September 11 attacks in 2001 all airlines that flew across the Atlantic suffered badly.
Swissair
had pledged to invest millions in SABENA, but failed to do so, partly because the airline had financial problems itself. SABENA operated its final flight on 7 November 2001. The company filed for legal protection against its creditors on 3 October, and went into liquidation on 6 November 2001. Fred Chaffart
, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sabena, read a declaration on this day to explain the decision.
A group of investors managed to take over Delta Air Transport
, one of SABENA's subsidiaries, and transformed it into SN Brussels Airlines
.
November 7, 2001 was the final day of operations for Sabena. Flight 690 from Abidjan to Brussels via Cotonou was the last Sabena flight to land in Brussels. An Airbus A340-300 registered as OO-SCZ operated the flight.
The Belgian Parliament formed a committee to investigate the reasons behind the bankruptcy of SABENA and the involvement of Switzerland's flag carrier. At the same time, the company's administrator investigated possible legal steps against Swissair, and its successor Swiss International Airlines.
In 2006, the Belgian government, who had been a major shareholder of SABENA, filed criminal charges against the former Swissair management, the outcome is still pending.
The former Swissair management has been condemned (http://www.dhnet.be/infos/societe/article/340682/sabena-obtient-enfin-justice.html)
On 16 January 2007 the Belgian - Flemish news program Terzake reported that during the nineties, several members of the board were paid large sums illegally through a SABENA affiliate in Bermuda
. When Paul Reutlinger became the CEO of the company, he stopped the illegal payments. The program goes on to state that this might be the explanation why the Belgian board members remained quiet when it became apparent that Swissair was exploiting SABENA and, eventually, drove the company into bankruptcy.
On December 14, 2007, Georges Jaspis, a former Second World War pilot in No. 609 Squadron RAF
and the SABENA pilot with the most flying hours (27,000) died. Captain Jaspis was the pilot who inaugurated the Manchester to New York service in October 1953 and who collected the first Sabena Boeing 707 and 747. He had escaped Belgium during the war and made his way to England where he joined the Royal Air Force
. He was awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross). He was buried in Opprebais, a village south-east of Brussels on December 19, 2007. The Belgian military attended and a flypast of four F-16 jets in missing man formation
was made.
not living up to their contractual obligations and failing to inject necessary funds into the company. This was because at the time Swissair was having its own financial problems. During the so called "Hotel agreement", signed on July 17, 2001, Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt
met with Swissair boss Mario Corti, who agreed to inject €258 million into SABENA. Mr Corti had made a terrible mistake as the sum was never paid, due to Swissair's own financial problems. The purchase of 34 new Airbus
planes, imposed by the Swiss, was a burden SABENA could not cope with.
After the bankruptcy, a parliamentary commission in Belgium was established to investigate the demise of the airline. The Belgian politicians got a part of the blame; Rik Daems
, who, at the time, was Minister of Public Enterprises & Participations, Telecommunication and Middle Classes, received most criticism due to his lack of effort. Swissair itself went bankrupt in October of that year.
Montreal-Dorval, Montreal-Mirabel, New York-JFK, Newark, Washington-Dulles
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
from 1923 to 2001, with its base at Brussels National Airport
Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is an international airport northeast of Brussels, Belgium. The airport is partially in Zaventem and partially in the Diegem area of Machelen, both located in the Flemish Region of Belgium.Brussels Airport currently consists of 54 contact gates, and a total of 109 gates...
. After its bankruptcy in 2001, the newly formed SN Brussels Airlines
SN Brussels Airlines
SN Brussels Airlines was a national airline of Belgium, which mainly operated from Brussels Airport. SNBA was the trading name of the Belgian airline Delta Air Transport. SNBA was a full-service airline, connecting Brussels with the rest of Europe. It also flew to Africa, continuing Sabena's...
took over part of SABENA's assets in February 2002, which then became Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is a flag carrier airline headquartered in the b.house on the grounds of Brussels Airport and in Diegem, Machelen, Belgium and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It is the largest airline based in Belgium, operating to over 65 destinations in 20 European countries as well as long-haul...
. The airline had its corporate headquarters in the Sabena House on the grounds of Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is an international airport northeast of Brussels, Belgium. The airport is partially in Zaventem and partially in the Diegem area of Machelen, both located in the Flemish Region of Belgium.Brussels Airport currently consists of 54 contact gates, and a total of 109 gates...
in Zaventem
Zaventem
Zaventem is a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. The municipality comprises the towns of Nossegem, Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, Sterrebeek and Zaventem proper. On January 1, 2006 Zaventem had a total population of 28,651...
.
1923–1939
SABENA is short for Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne or Belgian company for exploiting aerial navigation. It began operations on 23 May 1923 as the national carrier of BelgiumBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. It had been created by the Belgian government after its predecessor SNETA
SNETA
SNETA is a former Belgian airline which operated from 1919 to 1923 in order to pioneer commercial aviation in Belgium...
(Syndicat national pour l'étude des transports aériens) - formed in 1919 to pioneer commercial aviation in Belgium - ceased operations. The first commercial flight of SABENA was operated between Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
(UK) on 1 July 1923 via Ostend. Services to Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
(Netherlands) and Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
(France) were launched on 1 April 1924. The Strasbourg service was extended to Basle (Switzerland) on 10 June 1924. Amsterdam (Netherlands) was added on 1 September 1924, and Hamburg (Germany) followed on 1 May 1929 via Antwerp, Düsseldorf, and Essen.
Belgian Congo
When SABENA was created, it was partly funded by Belgians in the Belgian CongoBelgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
colony
Colony
In politics and history, a colony is a territory under the immediate political control of a state. For colonies in antiquity, city-states would often found their own colonies. Some colonies were historically countries, while others were territories without definite statehood from their inception....
who lost their air service - an experimental passenger and cargo company (LARA
Ligne Aerienne du Roi Albert
Ligne Aerienne du Roi Albert was a short-lived civilian airline in the Belgian Congo colony.Fleet: Levy Lepen hydroplane.Route: Leopoldville - Ngombe - Lisala - Stanleyville....
) between Léopoldville
Leopoldville
Leopoldville may refer to:* The capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, today known as Kinshasa* SS Leopoldville, a troopship sunk in 1944...
, Lisala
Lisala
Lisala is the capital of Mongala District, in northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is located at around . The Congo River flows through the city. It is best known as the birthplace of Mobutu Sese Seko, who ruled Zaire from 1965 to 1997....
, and Stanleyville - a year earlier and expected the new Belgian national airline to fill this gap. On 12 February 1925, therefore, SABENA pioneered its long haul across Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
to Leopoldville
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
, capital of the Belgian Congo. Throughout its history, SABENA had a long tradition of service to African destinations. For a long time, these were the only profitable routes served by the airline.
SABENA chose to use landplanes for its Congo operations and a program of aerodrome construction was initiated in the Congo. This was finished in 1926 and SABENA immediately began flights within the Belgian colony, the main route being Boma
Boma
The port town of Boma in Bas-Congo province was the capital city of the Congo Free State and Belgian Congo from 1 May 1886 to 1926, when it was moved to Léopoldville . It exports tropical timber, bananas, cacao, and palm products...
-Léopoldville
Leopoldville
Leopoldville may refer to:* The capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, today known as Kinshasa* SS Leopoldville, a troopship sunk in 1944...
-Élisabethville, a 2,288 km (1,422 mi) route over dense jungle
Jungle
A Jungle is an area of land in the tropics overgrown with dense vegetation.The word jungle originates from the Sanskrit word jangala which referred to uncultivated land. Although the Sanskrit word refers to "dry land", it has been suggested that an Anglo-Indian interpretation led to its...
. First, flights were operated with De Havilland DH.50 aircraft, although these were quickly replaced with the larger Handley Page W.8f airliners, which had three engines and offered ten seats.
By 1931 SABENA's fleet, including the aircraft used on the Congo network, totalled 43 aircraft. Its mainstay type was the Fokker F.VII
Fokker F.VII
The Fokker F.VII, also known as the Fokker Trimotor, was an airliner produced in the 1920s by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker, Fokker's American subsidiary Atlantic Aircraft Corporation, and other companies under licence....
B with a lesser number of the smaller Fokker 7A and 14 Handley-Page types. It also used British Westland Wessex
Westland IV
-See also:- References :* Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft 1919-1972: Volume III. London, Putnam, 1988. ISBN 0 85177 818 6.* accessed 2 Feb 2007 -External links:*, Flight, October 3, 1930...
aircraft.
SABENA flew aircraft out to tropical Africa, Belgium's Congo colony, occasionally, but mostly these aircraft were shipped out. There was no direct flight yet between Belgium and its colony. As the 1930s progressed, SABENA cooperated with Air France
Air France
Air France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
and Deutsche Luft Hansa
Deutsche Luft Hansa
Deutsche Luft Hansa A.G. was a German airline, serving as flag carrier of the country during the later years of the Weimar Republic and throughout the Third Reich.-1920s:Deutsche Luft Hansa was founded on 6 January 1926 in Berlin...
, which also had interests in routes to destinations across Africa.
SABENA's first long-haul flight to the Congo occurred on 12 February 1935 and took five and a half days, for which SABENA used a Fokker F-VII/3m aircraft. The following year, SABENA purchased the Savoia-Marchetti SM.73 airliner. With a speed of 300 km/h (200 mph), it reduced the journey time taken to only four days, and the SABENA service ran on alternate weeks to an Air Afrique
Air Afrique
Air Afrique was a Pan-African airline, that was mainly owned by many West African countries for most of its history. It was established as the official transnational carrier for francophone West and Central Africa, because many of these countries did not have the capability to create and maintain a...
service.
Expansion in Europe
In Europe, SABENA opened services to CopenhagenCopenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
and Malmö
Malmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
in 1931. A route to Berlin was initiated in 1932. The mainstay pre-war airliner that SABENA used in Europe, was the successful Junkers Ju-52/3m airliner. The airline's pre-war routes covered almost 6,000 km within Europe. While the Brussels Haren airport was Sabena's main base, the company also operated services from other Belgian airports, and had a domestic network that was mainly used by businessmen who wanted to be in their coastal villas for the weekend.
In 1938, the airline purchased the new Savoia-Marchetti SM.83, a development of the S.M. 73 with a speed of 435 km/h (270 mph), although it flew services at a cruising speed of about 400 km/h (250 mph).
1939–1946
At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, SABENA's fleet totalled 18 aircraft. Its mainstay fleet type was the Savoia-Marchetti SM.73 airliner (it had 11 of the type) and the Junkers Ju-52/3m airliner (it had 5.) SABENA also had just taken delivery of two Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
s.
During the war the airline managed to maintain its Belgian Congo routes, but all European services ceased.
1946–1960
After the Second World War in 1946, SABENA resumed operating a network of intra-European scheduled services. The fleet was initially consisted mainly of Douglas DC-3s (There were thousands of surplus C-47 DakotaC-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
s (the military variant of the DC-3) available to help airlines restart operations after the war.) The airline now flew under the name of SABENA - Belgian World Airlines.
On 18 September 1946, the SABENA DC-4 OO-CBG crashed near Gander International Airport
Gander International Airport
Gander International Airport is located in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and is currently run by the Gander Airport Authority. Canadian Forces Base Gander shares the airfield but is a separate entity from the airport.-Early years and prominence:...
(Newfoundland), killing 27 of the 44 people on board. Crash locationhttp://www.zianet.com/tmorris/ganderrescue.html http://uscgaviationhistory.aoptero.org/images/RESCUE%20IN%20NEWFOUNDLAND.pdf http://uscgaviationhistory.aoptero.org/images/Ten%20feet%20Tall.pdf
SABENA started its first transatlantic route to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on 4 June 1947, initially using Douglas DC-4
Douglas DC-4
The Douglas DC-4 is a four-engined propeller-driven airliner developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It served during World War II, in the Berlin Airlift and into the 1960s in a military role...
airliners, which were augmented and later replaced by Douglas DC-6B
Douglas DC-6
The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range...
s. These 'fours' and 'six-Bs' also restarted the airline's traditional route to the Belgian Congo. SABENA were first to introduce transatlantic schedules from the North of England, when the airline's DC-6B OO-CTH inaugurated its Brussels-Manchester-New York route on 28 October 1953.
The Convair 240
Convair 240
The Convair CV-240 was an American airliner produced by Convair from 1947 to 1954, initially as a possible replacement of the ubiquitous Douglas DC-3. While featuring a more modern design, the 240 series was able to make some inroads as a commercial airliner and also had a long development cycle...
was introduced in 1949 to partially replace the DC-3's that until then flew most European services. As of 1956, Convair 440 'Metropolitan' twins started to replace the Convair 240 twins and were used successfully well into the 1960s across European regional destinations.
In 1957, the long-haul Douglas DC-7C
Douglas DC-7
The Douglas DC-7 is an American transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958. It was the last major piston engine powered transport made by Douglas, coming just a few years before the advent of jet aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8.-Design and...
was introduced for long-haul routes but this plane would be supplanted after only three years by the jet age
Jet age
The Jet Age is a period of history defined by the social change brought about by the advent of large aircraft powered by turbine engines. These aircraft are able to fly much higher, faster, and farther than older piston-powered propliners, making transcontinental and inter-continental travel...
.
On 3 June 1954, a Sabena-operated DC-3 on a cargo flight from the UK to Yugoslavia was strafed by a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was a jet fighter developed for the USSR by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in...
, killing the radio operator and wounding both the captain and engineer. Co-pilot Douglas Wilson managed to land in Austria but the plane suffered significant damage.
For the 1958 world exposition in Brussels, Sabena hired a couple of Lockheed Constellation
Lockheed Constellation
The Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
s, using them mainly on transatlantic routes. In the same period, there were experiments with helicopter passenger service from Brussels to Antwerp, Rotterdam and Eindhoven.
1960–1990
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
intercontinental jet for long-haul trans-Atlantic flights to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. SABENA was mainland Europe's first airline to operate a jet across the Atlantic (BOAC
Boac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
- now British Airways - had been flying jet transatlantic services using the de Havilland Comet 4
De Havilland Comet
The de Havilland DH 106 Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner to reach production. Developed and manufactured by de Havilland at the Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom headquarters, it first flew in 1949 and was a landmark in aeronautical design...
since 4 October 1958). Tragically, one of SABENA's aircraft became the first Boeing 707 to crash while in commercial service when Flight 548
Sabena Flight 548
Sabena Flight 548, registration OO-SJB, was a Boeing 707 aircraft that crashed en route to Brussels, Belgium, from New York City on February 15, 1961, killing the entire United States Figure Skating team on its way to the 1961 World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia.The flight, which...
crashed while preparing to land at Brussels on 15 February 1961. The United States Figure Skating Team was aboard the aircraft, en route from New York to Prague via Brussels to compete in a figure skating championship.
Six Caravelle
Sud Aviation Caravelle
The Sud Aviation SE 210 Caravelle was the first short/medium-range jet airliner produced by the French Sud Aviation firm starting in 1955 . The Caravelle was one of the more successful European first generation jetliners, selling throughout Europe and even penetrating the United States market, with...
jetliners were introduced on all medium-haul routes in Europe from February 1961, being flown on most routes alongside the Convair 440s, until the early 1970s.
1961 also saw a major upheaval for SABENA in the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
colony. Widespread rioting against Belgian colonials in the months leading up to, and after the independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
, caused thousands of Belgians to flee the country. The Belgian government commandeered SABENA's entire long haul fleet to get the refugees back to Europe. Independence also meant the end of the impressive regional network of routes that the airline had built up in the Congo since 1924. When the new republic began its own airline, Air Congo, in June 1961, SABENA held 30 percent of that airline's shares.
The Douglas DC-6B
Douglas DC-6
The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range...
aircraft remained in use with SABENA in the mid 1960s although they were no longer used on the airline's main routes; the Boeing 707s and Caravelles became the mainstay types during this decade.
Boeing 727-100s
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
were introduced on important European routes from 1967 in a unique colour scheme; the fin markings incorporated bare-metal rudder and white engine colours. The only other aircraft to have its own special markings was the Douglas DC-10.
At this time Fokker F27 Friendship
Fokker F27
The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner...
s entered service between regional Belgian airports and European destinations such as London Heathrow.
1971 saw the introduction of the Boeing 747-100 on transatlantic routes flying alongside the Boeing 707-320Cs. SABENA, like many other trans-Atlantic airlines was satisfied with the Boeing 707s, but for commercial reasons recognised it had to buy the new jumbo-jets for its prestige services, notably New York JFK and as of the mid-seventies, Chicago O'Hare. SABENA purchased only two first generation jumbo-jets and continued to fly the 707 into the late 1970s.
As of 1973, the Boeing 727s on the European network were replaced by the Boeing 737-200.
The Douglas DC-10-30
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine widebody jet airliner manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The DC-10 has range for medium- to long-haul flights, capable of carrying a maximum 380 passengers. Its most distinguishing feature is the two turbofan engines mounted on underwing pylons and a...
entered service in 1974. In total, SABENA purchased five of these convertible (Passengers and/or freight) wide-body jets.
In 1984 Airbus A310
Airbus A310
The Airbus A310 is a medium- to long-range twin-engine widebody jet airliner. Launched in July 1978, it was the second aircraft created by Airbus Industrie,a consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. the consortium of...
s were introduced on routes that had high passenger-density. This aircraft type also introduced a modernisation of the 1973 SABENA livery, in which a lighter blue was used and the titles on the fuselage were in a more modern style.
In June 1986 the first of two Boeing 747-300 aircraft joined the fleet, eventually replacing the older 747-100.
In an advertisement in National Geographic June 1982 (volume 161, no. 6) Sabena was priding itself with a superior inflight service. "And unlike most European airlines Sabena still offers First Class
First class (aviation)
First class is a luxury travel class on some airliners that exceeds business class, premium economy, and economy class. On a passenger jetliner, first class refers to a limited number of seats or cabins located in the front of the aircraft which are notable for their comfort, service, and privacy...
service within Europe and all the way through." This advertisement also states that "Sabena flies to 76 destinations on 4 continents" and uses the slogan "belgian world airlines" (written with no capital letters).
In 1989, Sabena invited Belgian fashion designer Olivier Strelli
Olivier Strelli
Olivier Strelli born Nissim Israel is a Belgian fashion designer, who put Belgium on the fashion map. His name is now synonymous with a chain of male and female clothing and accessory boutiques in Belgium, Switzerland, France and China...
to create a new range of uniforms for their cabin crew.
1990–1995
A new name, SABENA World Airlines, and colours were introduced for the 1990s. The new livery had an overall white colour and the white circle tail logo in blue on the fin. A large 'sabena' title covered the fuselage in a light blue and the name "Belgian World Airlines" was at times barely visible although the title was also painted on the fuselage in small clear letters. The 1990s saw further fleet type renewal; the DC-10-30s were replaced with twin-engined Airbus A330Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo....
and four-engined Airbus A340
Airbus A340
The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is...
.
After the liberalisation of the airline industry, it became apparent that SABENA had little chances to survive on its own in this very competitive market. The Belgian government, the main shareholder of the company, began searching for a fit partner.
Sabena remained in a catastrophic financial state. Year after year, the Belgian government had to fill the losses. The government was however prevented from funding due to EU anti-state aid rules. Consecutive governments charged themselves with looking for a fit partner for the airline.
In 1993, Air France
Air France
Air France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
purchased a large minority stake in SABENA, which it sold soon after. In 1995, Swissair
Swissair
Swissair AG was the former national airline of Switzerland.It was formed from a merger between Balair and Ad Astra Aero , in 1931...
purchased a 49 percent stake in SABENA.
In 1993 Sabena's head office was in the Air Terminus building on Rue Cardinal Mercier in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.
1995–2001
In March and April 1998 two McDonnell-Douglas MD-11 aircraft joined the fleet and long-haul destinations as NewarkNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
were (re)introduced.
1999 saw new colours introduced in the SABENA fleet, beginning with an Airbus A340
Airbus A340
The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is...
. One of the latest fleet types that SABENA has introduced, right after the A321
Airbus A320 family
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
and A320
Airbus A320 family
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
is the A319
Airbus A320 family
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
which saw service in 2000. These new planes were part of a record-order of 36 Airbuses, imposed on SABENA when under Swissair management.
After an airline recession and the effects on the airline industry of the September 11 attacks in 2001 all airlines that flew across the Atlantic suffered badly.
Swissair
Swissair
Swissair AG was the former national airline of Switzerland.It was formed from a merger between Balair and Ad Astra Aero , in 1931...
had pledged to invest millions in SABENA, but failed to do so, partly because the airline had financial problems itself. SABENA operated its final flight on 7 November 2001. The company filed for legal protection against its creditors on 3 October, and went into liquidation on 6 November 2001. Fred Chaffart
Fred Chaffart
Ferdinand "Fred" Chaffart was a Belgian businessman. He was born in Deurne, Belgium.-Education:He obtained a Masters Degree in Economics and completed the Senior Executive Program at Stanford University ....
, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sabena, read a declaration on this day to explain the decision.
A group of investors managed to take over Delta Air Transport
Delta Air Transport
Delta Air Transport was an airline headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, operating scheduled and chartered flights, mostly on short-haul routes...
, one of SABENA's subsidiaries, and transformed it into SN Brussels Airlines
SN Brussels Airlines
SN Brussels Airlines was a national airline of Belgium, which mainly operated from Brussels Airport. SNBA was the trading name of the Belgian airline Delta Air Transport. SNBA was a full-service airline, connecting Brussels with the rest of Europe. It also flew to Africa, continuing Sabena's...
.
November 7, 2001 was the final day of operations for Sabena. Flight 690 from Abidjan to Brussels via Cotonou was the last Sabena flight to land in Brussels. An Airbus A340-300 registered as OO-SCZ operated the flight.
The Belgian Parliament formed a committee to investigate the reasons behind the bankruptcy of SABENA and the involvement of Switzerland's flag carrier. At the same time, the company's administrator investigated possible legal steps against Swissair, and its successor Swiss International Airlines.
2001–present
The former Swissair management has been condemned (http://www.dhnet.be/infos/societe/article/340682/sabena-obtient-enfin-justice.html)
On 16 January 2007 the Belgian - Flemish news program Terzake reported that during the nineties, several members of the board were paid large sums illegally through a SABENA affiliate in Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
. When Paul Reutlinger became the CEO of the company, he stopped the illegal payments. The program goes on to state that this might be the explanation why the Belgian board members remained quiet when it became apparent that Swissair was exploiting SABENA and, eventually, drove the company into bankruptcy.
On December 14, 2007, Georges Jaspis, a former Second World War pilot in No. 609 Squadron RAF
No. 609 Squadron RAF
No. 609 Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, originally formed as a bomber squadron and in World War II active as fighter squadron, nowadays provides personnel to augment and support the operations of the Royal Air Force. The squadron is no longer a flying Squadron, but instead has the role...
and the SABENA pilot with the most flying hours (27,000) died. Captain Jaspis was the pilot who inaugurated the Manchester to New York service in October 1953 and who collected the first Sabena Boeing 707 and 747. He had escaped Belgium during the war and made his way to England where he joined the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. He was awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross). He was buried in Opprebais, a village south-east of Brussels on December 19, 2007. The Belgian military attended and a flypast of four F-16 jets in missing man formation
Missing man formation
The missing man formation is an aerial salute performed as part of a flyover of aircraft at a funeral or memorial event, typically in memory of a fallen pilot. The missing man formation is often called "the missing man flyby"...
was made.
Reasons for bankruptcy
The reasons for SABENA's bankruptcy are numerous. One of the direct causes was SwissairSwissair
Swissair AG was the former national airline of Switzerland.It was formed from a merger between Balair and Ad Astra Aero , in 1931...
not living up to their contractual obligations and failing to inject necessary funds into the company. This was because at the time Swissair was having its own financial problems. During the so called "Hotel agreement", signed on July 17, 2001, Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
met with Swissair boss Mario Corti, who agreed to inject €258 million into SABENA. Mr Corti had made a terrible mistake as the sum was never paid, due to Swissair's own financial problems. The purchase of 34 new Airbus
Airbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
planes, imposed by the Swiss, was a burden SABENA could not cope with.
After the bankruptcy, a parliamentary commission in Belgium was established to investigate the demise of the airline. The Belgian politicians got a part of the blame; Rik Daems
Rik Daems
Hendrik Jules Joseph "Rik" Daems is a Flemish painter, wine trader and politician. He is a member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives for the Flemish Liberals and Democrats and member of the city council of Leuven....
, who, at the time, was Minister of Public Enterprises & Participations, Telecommunication and Middle Classes, received most criticism due to his lack of effort. Swissair itself went bankrupt in October of that year.
Flights to or from Europe
- On 10 December 1935, a Savoia-Marchetti S.73Savoia-Marchetti S.73|-References:* Lembo, Daniele,SIAI 81 Pipistrello, Aerei nella Storia, n.33....
(registeredAircraft registrationAn aircraft registration is a unique alphanumeric string that identifies a civil aircraft, in similar fashion to a licence plate on an automobile...
OO-AGN) crashed1935 SABENA Savoia-Marchetti S.73 crashThe 1935 SABENA Savoia-Marchetti S.73 crash occurred on 10 December 1935 when Savoia-Marchetti S.73 OO-AGN of Belgian airline SABENA crashed at Tatsfield, Surrey, United Kingdom whilst on an international scheduled flight from Brussels Airport, Belgium to Croydon Airport, United Kingdom...
at TatsfieldTatsfieldTatsfield is a village of some 1800 inhabitants located in the Tandridge district of Surrey, England, and 16 miles south south-east of Charing Cross in London...
, SurreySurreySurrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
with the loss of eleven lives. - On 17 September 1946 at 01:47 local time, a Douglas C-47 (registered OO-AUR) crashed upon take-off from HarenHaren, BelgiumHaren is an old municipality of Brussels in Belgium, that was merged into the municipality of the City of Brussels in 1921...
Airfield, killing one crew member. The other two crew and four passengers on board the flight that had been bound for Croydon AirportCroydon AirportCroydon Airport was an airport in South London which straddled the boundary between what are now the London boroughs of Croydon and Sutton. It was the main airport for London before it was replaced by Northolt Aerodrome, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport...
survived the accident.
- The next day, 18 September 1946, saw 27 people losing their lives when a SABENA Douglas DC-4Douglas DC-4The Douglas DC-4 is a four-engined propeller-driven airliner developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It served during World War II, in the Berlin Airlift and into the 1960s in a military role...
(OO-CBG) crashed 35 km short of Gander AirportGander International AirportGander International Airport is located in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and is currently run by the Gander Airport Authority. Canadian Forces Base Gander shares the airfield but is a separate entity from the airport.-Early years and prominence:...
, where the aircraft had been planned to land for a refueling stop on the flight from Brussels to New York. At the time of the accident (07:42 UTCCoordinated Universal TimeCoordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
), there was dense fog near the airport, and the pilot of the DC-4 had executed a flawed, too low approach, so that the plane hit the ground. There were 17 survivors (16 passengers and one crew). - The 19 passengers and three crew members on a flight from Brussels to London lost their lives on 2 March 1948, when the aircraft, a Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
registered OO-AWH, crashed at 21:14 local time upon approach of London Heathrow AirportLondon Heathrow AirportLondon Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe...
in low visibility conditions. - On 18 December 1949 at approximately 20:30 local time, a C-47 (registered OO-AUQ) crashed near Aulnay-sous-BoisAulnay-sous-BoisAulnay-sous-Bois is a commune in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris.In October and November 2005, it gained national and international attention as one of the focuses of the French suburb riots.-Name:...
, France, killing the four passengers and four crew on board. The aircraft had just left Paris – Le Bourget AirportParis – Le Bourget AirportParis – Le Bourget Airport is an airport located in Le Bourget, Bonneuil-en-France, and Dugny, north-northeast of Paris, France. It is now used only for general aviation as well as air shows...
for a flight to Brussels, when a wing malfunction was encountered. - On 14 October 1953 at ca. 15:20 local time, a Convair CV-240 (registered OO-AWQ) crashed near KelsterbachKelsterbachKelsterbach is a town in Groß-Gerau district in Hessen, Germany. It lies on Frankfurt's southwestern outskirts at a bend on the left bank of the river Main, right where a small brook, called the Kelster empties into the river...
, West Germany, killing the 40 passengers and four crew that had been on the flight from FrankfurtFrankfurtFrankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
to Brussels. Engine power had been lost upon take-off from Frankfurt AirportFrankfurt AirportFrankfurt Airport may refer to:Airports of Frankfurt, Germany:*Frankfurt Airport , the largest airport in Germany*Frankfurt Egelsbach Airport, a general aviation airport*Frankfurt-Hahn Airport , a converted U.S...
, making the aircraft impossible to control. - One passenger on board a flight from Brussels to ZurichZürichZurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
was killed on 19 December of the same year, when the aircraft (a CV-240 registered OO-AWO) hit the ground 2.5 km short of the runway threshold of Kloten Airport at 18:55 local time. In low visibility conditions, the pilot had executed a flawed approach, which let the aircraft descend below the glidepathInstrument Landing SystemAn instrument landing system is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument...
. The other 39 passengers and three crew members survived the accident. - On June 1954, a C-47 (registered OO-CBY) was attacked by a fighter aircraft near MariborMariborMaribor is the second largest city in Slovenia with 157,947 inhabitants . Maribor is also the largest and the capital city of Slovenian region Lower Styria and the seat of the Municipality of Maribor....
, Yugoslavia. The aircraft, that had been on a cargo flight from Blackbushe AirportBlackbushe AirportBlackbushe Airport , in the civil parish of Yateley in the north-east corner of the English county of Hampshire, comprises an airfield, much reduced in size since its heyday, a British Car Auctions site, a kart track owned by Camberley Kart Club, and a small business park...
to BelgradeBelgradeBelgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, could be kept airborne, and a forced landing at Graz AirportGraz AirportGraz Airport , also known as Thalerhof, serves Graz, Austria. It is located in the municipalities of Feldkirchen and Kalsdorf, south of Graz city centre.-Transportation:...
was carried out, in which it ran off the runway. In the incident, one out of the four people on board was killed. - On 13 February 1955, the pilots of a SABENA flight from Brussels to RomeRomeRome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
lost orientation when approaching Ciampino Airport, resulting in the aircraft involved, a Douglas DC-6Douglas DC-6The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range...
registered OO-SDB, crashing into the slope of Monte TerminilloMonte TerminilloMonte Terminillo is a massif in the Monti Reatini, part of the Abruzzese Apennines range in central Italy. It is located some 20 km from Rieti and 100 km from Rome and has a highest altitude of ....
at 18:53 local time, killing the 21 passengers and eight crew on board. - The disaster of Flight 548Sabena Flight 548Sabena Flight 548, registration OO-SJB, was a Boeing 707 aircraft that crashed en route to Brussels, Belgium, from New York City on February 15, 1961, killing the entire United States Figure Skating team on its way to the 1961 World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia.The flight, which...
with its 73 casualties marked the worst accident in the history of SABENA. It happened on 15 February 1961 at 09:05 UTC, when the aircraft (a Boeing 707Boeing 707The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
registered OO-SJB) crashed at Brussels AirportBrussels AirportBrussels Airport is an international airport northeast of Brussels, Belgium. The airport is partially in Zaventem and partially in the Diegem area of Machelen, both located in the Flemish Region of Belgium.Brussels Airport currently consists of 54 contact gates, and a total of 109 gates...
following a flight from New York City. - On 13 July 1968, a cargo-configured 707 (registered OO-SJK) crashed upon approach of Lagos Airport on a flight from Brussels, killing the seven occupants. It was determined that the aircraft had been descending too low, so that it had struck trees.
- A DC-3 registered OO-AUX (which SABENA had leased from Delta Air TransportDelta Air TransportDelta Air Transport was an airline headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, operating scheduled and chartered flights, mostly on short-haul routes...
) was damaged beyond repair in a ground accident at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on 9 May 1970. The pilots began to taxi the aircraft even though they had not been cleared to do so, which resulted in the right propeller hitting an obstacle on the ground, and debris destroying the airliner beyond economic repair. - On 8 May 1972, Flight 571 from ViennaViennaVienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
to Tel AvivTel AvivTel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
with 101 people on board (a Boeing 707 registered OO-SJG) was hijacked by four members of the terrorist organization Black SeptemberBlack September (group)The Black September Organization was a Palestinian paramilitary group, founded in 1970. It was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of eleven Israeli athletes and officials, and fatal shooting of a West German policeman, during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, their most publicized event...
, in order to secure the release of 315 detainees from Israeli prisons. At Ben-Gurion International Airport, two hijackers were shot and killed by the Israeli Sayeret MatkalSayeret MatkalSayeret Matkal is a special forces unit of the Israel Defence Forces , which is subordinated to the intelligence directorate Aman. First and foremost a field intelligence-gathering unit, conducting deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines to obtain strategic intelligence, Sayeret Matkal is also...
special forces. One passenger died later of the wounds she had suffered in the shoot-out. - On 15 February 1978, a Boeing 707 (registered OO-SJE) overshot the runway at Los Rodeos Airport following a chartered holiday flight from Brussels with 189 passengers and seven crew on board. After all people could be evacuated, a fire erupted from spilled fuel, destroying the aircraft.
- On 4 April of the same year at 18:07 local time, a Boeing 737-200 (registered OO-SDH) that had been on a crew training flight suffered a bird strikeBird strikeA bird strike—sometimes called birdstrike, avian ingestion , bird hit, or BASH —is a collision between an airborne animal and a man-made vehicle, especially aircraft...
during landing practice at Charleroi Airport. The pilot instructor on board attempted to get the aircraft airborne again, but failed because the remaining runway length did not suffice, so that the runway was overshot, and the plane damaged beyond repair. - On 29 August 1998, Flight 542 from New York to Brussels with 248 passengers and 11 crew members on board, which was operated using an Airbus A340-200 (registered OO-SCW), suffered a broken-off right landing gear upon landing at Brussels Airport, so that the plane veered off the runway. There were no notable injuries in the ensuing evacuation, and the aircraft could be repaired.
- On 13 October 2000, Flight 689 from Brussels to AbidjanAbidjanAbidjan is the economic and former official capital of Côte d'Ivoire, while the current capital is Yamoussoukro. it was the largest city in the nation and the third-largest French-speaking city in the world, after Paris, and Kinshasa but before Montreal...
was hijacked by a Nigerian national who was due to be deported. The Airbus A330-200 with 146 other passengers and 11 crew members on board was forced to land at Málaga AirportMálaga AirportMálaga Airport , also known as Malaga Costa Del Sol Airport and Pablo Ruiz Picasso Airport, is the fourth busiest airport in Spain after Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. It is an important airport for Spanish tourism as it is the main international airport serving the Costa Del Sol....
, were the perpetrator was overpowered by Spanish police forces.
Flights in the Belgian colonies
- On 1 January 1943, a Junkers Ju 52Junkers Ju 52The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler...
(registered OO-AUG) crashed near BanguiBangui-Law and government:Bangui is an autonomous commune of the Central African Republic. With an area of 67 km², it is by far the smallest high-level administrative division of the CAR in area but the highest in population...
in then French Equatorial AfricaFrench Equatorial AfricaFrench Equatorial Africa or the AEF was the federation of French colonial possessions in Middle Africa, extending northwards from the Congo River to the Sahara Desert.-History:...
. - On 25 March 1944, the Ju 52 registered OO-AGU was destroyed when it crashed at CostermansvilleBukavuBukavu is a city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo , lying at the extreme south-eastern extent of Lake Kivu, west of Cyangugu in Rwanda, and separated from it by the outlet of the Ruzizi River. It is the capital of the Sud-Kivu province and as of 2009 it had an estimated population of...
, French CongoFrench CongoThe French Congo was a French colony which at one time comprised the present-day area of the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and the Central African Republic...
. Only some days later, on 3 April, another aircraft of the same type (OO-AUF) crashed nearby. - On 14 December 1945, a Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar (registered OO-CAK) caught fire and was subsequently destroyed following a forced landing near KouandéKouandéKouandé is a town, arrondissement and commune, located in the Atakora Department of Benin.The commune covers an area of 4500 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 80,261 people. The main town had an estimated 7,127 people in 2008....
during a flight that had originated at LagosLagosLagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
. - On 7 January 1947, a Douglas C-47 (registered OO-CBO) crashed near Costermansville.
- On 24 December 1947, a Lockheed Lodestar (OO-CAR) experienced an engine shortly after take-off from an airfield near Mitwaba, then French Congo, and subsequently crashed, killing the five occupants on board.
- On 12 May 1948, at 11:00 local time, a DC-4 (registered OO-CBE) crashed in a thunderstorm during a scheduled passenger flight from LeopoldvilleKinshasaKinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
to LibengeLibengeLibenge is a town in Sud-Ubangi Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ....
, then Belgian CongoBelgian CongoThe Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
, killing the 24 passengers and seven crew members. - Another 13 people (ten passengers, three crew) were killed on 31 August of that year, when their aircraft, a C-47 registered OO-UBL, crashed near ElizabethvilleLubumbashiLubumbashi is the second largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, second only to the nation's capital Kinshasa, and the hub of the southeastern part of the country. The copper-mining city serves as the capital of the relatively prosperous Katanga Province, lying near the Zambian border...
on a flight from ManonoManono, Democratic Republic of the CongoManono is a town and territory in Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It lies on the western bank of a tributary of the Luvua River. The town is a river port, with barges bringing cargo from Lubumbashi. Manono is also connected to a disused railway line...
. - On 27 August 1949, a Douglas C-47 (registered OO-CBK) experienced a loss of engine power shortly after take-off from Leopoldville Airport for a flight to Elizabethville with 17 passengers and three crew on board. The three crew members and two out of the seventeen passengers on board died in the ensuing crash.
- On 24 July 1951, the right engine of a cargo-configured DC-3 (registered OO-CBA) caught fire upon take-off from Gao AirfieldGao International AirportGao International Airport , also known as Korogoussou Airport, is an airport in Gao, Mali.-References:* * *...
and crashed, resulting in the loss of lives of the three persons on board. - The sixteen occupants (twelve passengers, four crew) of a C-47 (registered OO-CBA) died when the aircraft, that had been on a scheduled flight from Costermansville to Leopoldville, crashed near KikwitKikwitKikwit is the largest city of Kwilu District, lying on the Kwilu River in the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kikwit is also known in the region under the nickname "The Mother". The population is approximately 294,210...
following the mid-air break-up of a propeller, which resulted in vital parts of the airliner being destroyed by debris. - On 18 May 1958, a Douglas DC-7Douglas DC-7The Douglas DC-7 is an American transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958. It was the last major piston engine powered transport made by Douglas, coming just a few years before the advent of jet aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8.-Design and...
(registered OO-SFA) suffered a problem with its leftmost engine, whilst on a flight from LisbonLisbonLisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
to Leopoldville with 56 passengers and nine crew members. The pilots prepared for an emergency landing at Casablanca-Anfa AirportCasablanca-Anfa AirportCasablanca-Anfa Airport is an airport in Morocco , located about southwest of Casablanca. Anfa Airport is one of two airports serving the Casablanca area, the other being the newer and larger Mohammed V International Airport. Anfa Airport, restricted by the urban growth around it, primarily serves...
, but shortly before touch-down, a go-aroundGo-aroundA go-around is an aborted landing of an aircraft that is on final approach.- Origin of the term :The term arises from the traditional use of traffic patterns at airfields. A landing aircraft will first join the circuit pattern and prepare for landing in an orderly fashion...
was attempted, which resulted in a stallStall (flight)In fluid dynamics, a stall is a reduction in the lift coefficient generated by a foil as angle of attack increases. This occurs when the critical angle of attack of the foil is exceeded...
because of the missing engine power. The aircraft crashed into buildings and caught fire at 04:25 local time, from which only four passengers could be saved alive.
Fleet
Sabena's fleet consisted of the following aircraft at the time of the bankruptcy in November 2001:- 15 Airbus A319-100Airbus A320 familyThe Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
- 6 Airbus A320-200Airbus A320 familyThe Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
- 3 Airbus A321-200Airbus A320 familyThe Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
- 6 Airbus A330-200
- 4 Airbus A330-300
- 2 Airbus A340-200
- 2 Airbus A340-300
- 6 Boeing 737-300Boeing 737 ClassicThe Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
- 5 Boeing 737-500Boeing 737 ClassicThe Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
- 2 McDonnell Douglas MD-11McDonnell Douglas MD-11The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 is a three-engine medium- to long-range widebody jet airliner, manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and, later, by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Based on the DC-10, it features a stretched fuselage, increased wingspan with winglets, refined airfoils on the wing and smaller...
Historical aircraft
- Boeing 707Boeing 707The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
- Boeing 747Boeing 747The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
- Convair CV-240
- Douglas C-47
- Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
- Douglas DC-4Douglas DC-4The Douglas DC-4 is a four-engined propeller-driven airliner developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It served during World War II, in the Berlin Airlift and into the 1960s in a military role...
- Douglas DC-6Douglas DC-6The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range...
- Douglas DC-7Douglas DC-7The Douglas DC-7 is an American transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958. It was the last major piston engine powered transport made by Douglas, coming just a few years before the advent of jet aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8.-Design and...
- Douglas DC-10
- Lockheed LodestarLockheed LodestarThe Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar was a passenger transport aircraft of the World War II era.-Design and development:The prototype of the Lockheed Model 18, which first flew in 1939, was constructed from one of a batch of Lockheed Model 14 Super Electras which had been returned to the manufacturer by...
Africa
Abidjan, Banjul, Bamako, Bujumbura, Casablanca, Conakry, Cotonou, Dakar, Douala, Entebbe, Freetown, Johannesburg, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lagos, Lomé, Luanda, Monrovia, Nairobi, Ouagadougou, Sal, Yaoundé.Europe
Ajaccio, Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Basel, Belfast, Berlin-Tempelhof, Bilbao, Birmingham, Bordeaux, Bologna, Bremen, Bristol, Bucharest, Budapest, Catania, Copenhagen, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Faro, Florence, Frankfurt, Geneva, Glasgow, Hamburg, Hanover, Helsinki, Istanbul, Leeds/Bradford, Lisbon, Ljubljana, Luxembourg, London-City, London-Gatwick, London-Heathrow, Madrid, Manchester, Milan-Linate, Milan-Malpensa, Moscow, Munich, Nantes, Napels, Newcastle, Nice, Nuremberg, Oslo-Gardermoen, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly, Palma de Mallorca, Porto, Prague, Rome, Saint-Petersburg, Seville, Sheffield, Sofia, Stockholm-Arlanda, Strasbourg, Stuttgart, Turin, Valencia, Venice, Verona, Vienna, Warsaw, Zurich.North America
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago-O'Hare, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Dallas, Toronto-Pearson,Montreal-Dorval, Montreal-Mirabel, New York-JFK, Newark, Washington-Dulles
External links
- Sabena (Archive)
- Sabena India (Archive)
- Sabena Technics
- Sabena Flight Academy
- Sabeniens
- Official Virtual Airline
- Gumbel, Peter. "The Last Days of Sabena." TIMETime (magazine)Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
. Sunday October 20, 2002.