The Country Director of Brussels Airlines Mr Nicolas Luyckx last Friday in a short press conference at the Cape Sierra Hotel told Travel Agents and Journalists that SN Brussels and Virgin Airlines have merged to form a new airline called Brussels Airlines.
The new Country Director praised the former management, the Travel Agents and the people of Sierra Leone since UTA started operations in Sierra Leone until they pulled out and Sabena came in – and lastly SN Brussels.
Mr Luyckx said Sierra Leoneans were finding it very difficult to go through Belgium because they require a transit visa.
This he explained was because Sierra Leoneans had been painted negatively.
However, he disclosed that since last August, the Brussels Airlines Office and the Foreign Affairs Ministry have been working assiduously to get rid of the transit visa requirement.
“Finally we succeeded in waving all transit visas to Belgium as from the 15th of May 2007”, adding “Sierra Leoneans and Gambians holding a valid visa for any EU country, Andorra, Canada, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, USA or Switzerland do not need a transit visa via Brussels anymore”, he said.
The Country Director said that the Transit visa waiver is important for Sierra Leoneans because Europeans will trust Sierra Leoneans and the country will be back in business. This he said has made them proud.
Giving a short history, the Station Manager Mr Abdul Kabba Kargbo said SN Brussels started May 2nd, 1993 under Sabena, but that the May 25, 1997 coup coupled with the September 11th terrorist attack on the USA made them crash.
He said in February 2002, a new airline called SN Brussels was born and three months later in July, they started operations in Sierra Leone.
Mr Kargbo said all these airlines take Sierra Leone very seriously that is why Brussels Airlines will continue to operate under any condition in Sierra Leone.
The Station Manager disclosed that the new Brussels Airlines has four Airbus aircrafts in Africa servicing 14 destinations including the newest Burundi with 38 flights per week.
In Europe, he disclosed they fly to 56 cities daily for as low a rate as 49 Euros.
Mr Luyckx disclosed that there were no more any economy class passengers in Europe, but they have new products in the business and economy classes in Africa.
Mr Abdul Kargbo said flying with Brussels Airlines gives you the choice of two fantastic new economy products in Europe.
On the medium and long-haul networks the business and economy services have also been improved with a complete refurbishment or the long-haul jets, and extra comfort in business class on medium haul.
Brussels Airlines serves complimentary meals, drinks and snacks to all passengers on medium and long-haul flights.
Brussels Airlines provides a range of services to make traveling as easy and comfortable as possible for passengers requiring special assistance.
Mr Nicolas Luyckx said they pride themselves in looking after all their passengers’ especially young people traveling alone.
He maintained that the Brussels cargo offers weekly freight services to and from its 14 African destinations and daily to and from 54 European destinations, all via Brussels gateway.
He admonished all to continue patronizing them as the care for all their customers will continue to help build Sierra Leone.
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