Air Antwerp set for London City launch

Start-up carrier Air Antwerp will operate its first flight to London City on 9 September, following the granting of its air operator's certificate by Belgium's civil aviation authority. The Belgian airline, a joint venture between KLM and CityJet, will use a 50-seat Fokker 50 turboprop to operate three return weekday flights plus one Sunday evening service. KLM will be a codeshare partner on the route. "Business travellers will finally be able to fly again from the centre of London to Antwerp," states Air Antwerp chief executive Johan Maertens. "Also for the Antwerp business world – in particular the diamond industry and the port community – it is good news that there is again a direct link to the London Docklands." The airline expects the KLM codeshare agreement with KLM to provide significant support to the venture. VLM, which operated an Antwerp-London City service before it entered liquidation last year, did not have such a relationship with a major airline, Air Antwerp spokesperson Yves Panneels points out. "The codeshare agreement with KLM will reinforce the strength of the operation. It is important to have the support of a strong brand," he says.<br/>