Air Belgium awaits Russian overflight permit; delays first flight

New Belgian airline Air Belgium said it would delay its first flight to Hong Kong from April 30 to June 3 as it has not yet received permission to fly through Russian airspace. Air Belgium CEO Niky Terzakis said: “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. Air Belgium did secure all other required permits well in advance. However, the Russian permit has not yet been granted. In addition to the uncertainty created by the above, the complicated and delayed GDS [Global Distribution Systems] implementation, has also prevented Chinese tourist groups from being directed to our flights,” Terzakis added. The airline has informed all affected passengers by email and will phone them all individually to offer either a seat on another airline’s flight, a deferred travel date with Air Belgium including financial compensation or full reimbursement, Air Belgium said. The startup airline hopes to have flights to seven destinations—six in mainland China plus Hong Kong–operating by this fall and will operate from Brussels South Charleroi Airport.<br/>