VLM (1992) (Antwerp) is to be acquired from parent, INTRO Aviation, by the carrier's management with the deal expected to close during the first week of next month. With the announcement, VLM says that in addition to its ACMI and Charter services, it will also resume offering scheduled services again in the near future.
Following its acquisition of VLM and its parent, CityJet (WX, Dublin International), from Air France-KLM Royal Dutch Airlines earlier this year, Intro Aviation announced it would transform the Belgian operator from a full-service, scheduled operator into an exclusive ACMI provider.
Recently, however, VLM management submitted a very lucrative offer to the German turnaround specialists leading to the sell-off.
"We strongly believe in VLM Airlines as a truly independent airline," commented Arthur White, CEO and majority shareholder of VLM Airlines. "As an independent airline we will keep offering ACMI & Charter services, but we will also start offering scheduled services in the near future. We are already studying a number of possible new routes from Antwerp. We will communicate this as soon as the deals have been concluded."
With its fleet of twelve Fokker 50s now averaging 25 years of age, VLM says it is currently evaluating possible new aircraft types to add to its fleet.
