Start-Ups VLM cuts route network

VLM, subsidiary of SHS Aviation B.V., has announced to focus on its scheduled routes from Antwerp to London City and Zurich. The connections to Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cologne-Bonn, Maribor, Munich and Rostock will be stopped in the weeks to come. Planned routes from Antwerp and Ostend-Bruges to Manchester will be postponed. Additionally, VLM will concentrate more on private, charter and ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance) flights. The Aviation Factory, market leader in the Benelux for customized air transport, will get one aircraft with fixed crew from VLM.

"The current aviation industry is so dynamic that it is common for destinations and flight frequencies to be constantly evaluated and adapted according to the season, the performance of existing routes and new opportunities that arise on the market. The existing routes are also continuously monitored at VLM. The available aircraft capacity is then deployed on routes and activities that are more in demand and that are profitable", says VLM CEO Johan Maertens.

VLM is also planning to implement a fleet reduction. The fleet of VLM Airlines consists of 6 Fokker 50 turboprop aircraft. Johan Maertens said that the airline has been preparing the replacement of the Fokker 50 aircraft for considerable time and is expecting the commissioning of the new aircraft in the second half of 2019.

An ACMI contract is a rental agreement between two airlines whereby one company (lessor) delivers an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI = aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance) and the lessee generally assumes all other operational costs and obligations. The lessee is also responsible for sales and marketing and pays the lessor a fee for the performed flight hours.