Dutch holding firm SHS Aviation B.V. has announced it has acquired the remaining parts of Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium (Brussels National). The announcement follows that of Lufthansa Group unit Brussels Airlines (SN, Brussels National) which, in March, said it would assume all of TCAB's 160 pilots and cabin crew, all its flight slots, and two of its five A320-200s by year-end as part of an enhanced partnership deal with TCAB's tour operator parent, Thomas Cook Belgium.
As such, SHS announced on Tuesday, May 31, that it would acquire all shares in Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium N.V. (TCAB). The move will give the Dutch firm access to TCAB's Belgian Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) which its VLM Airlines (Antwerp) (Antwerp) unit will use to develop its flight operations. In addition, SHS aviation will assume responsibility for the forty ground-handling crew who would have been made redundant under the Brussels Airlines tie-up.
"The acquisition deal will be closed upon completion of the extended partnership agreement between tour operator Thomas Cook Belgium and Brussels Airlines, which is planned for the end of October 2017," a statement said.
The CEO of SHS Aviation, Harm Prins, added that while the acquisition of TCAB and its AOC had brought his firm closer to the implementation of its business plan, a push to secure another AOC using a Belgian Fokker 50 was still a work-in-progress with the Belgian Ministry of Mobility.
As it stands, SHS Aviation expects to begin commercial flight operations under the common trading name "VLM Airlines" using both VLM Airlines (Belgium) and its recently certificated sister carrier, VLM Airlines (Slovenia) (Maribor).
Details regarding the number of aircraft to be used, planned routes and timetables will be announced at a later stage.
