Air Belgium (KF, Brussels Charleroi) has confirmed it has delayed its inaugural scheduled flights between Brussels Charleroi and Hong Kong International until June 3 of this year. The start-up had planned to start the service on April 30.
In a statement, CEO Niky Terzakis said Air Belgium had yet to secure trans-siberian transit rights from the Russian authorities.
“At this date and despite all efforts of our teams and the Belgian authorities, we are still expecting to receive the overflight permit from the Russian authorities, knowing that overflying through the Russian airspace is unavoidable," he said. "Air Belgium did secure all other required permits well in advance. However, the Russian permit has not yet been granted."
In addition to the transit rights issue, he also highlighted what he termed the "complicated and delayed GDS (Global Distribution Systems) implementation" which has also prevented Chinese tourists groups from being directed to Air Belgium's flights.
“This was a hard call to make considering the market expectations, but we take the protection of our travellers’ interests to heart. In the meantime, we are doing everything we can to obtain the overflight permit as fast as possible and to support tour operators in making the necessary arrangements in time," Terzakis ended.
