Probe begins into Sabena Technics hangar fire

Sabena Technics believes the fire that burned down one of its maintenance hangars at Brussels Airport, destroying four aircraft, will have only a minor effect on its operations as investigations begin into the cause of the blaze.

A Sabena Technics spokeswoman says the company is “rescheduling its maintenance tasks to ensure continuity” and is relocating heavy maintenance activities to its other hangars.

The spokeswoman confirms that the fire, which broke out at midnight last night, destroyed three Airbus A320s – operated by Armenian carriers Armavia and Armenian International Airways, as well as Greek charter operator Hellas Jet – plus a Belgian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules.

The company is not disclosing the registration numbers of the aircraft involved, but a spokesman for Hellas Jet confirms that one of its A320s, a three-year old jet registered SX-BVB and leased from CIT Group, is among the aircraft destroyed in the blaze.

Armenian International Airways has a single A320, a 13-year old example registered EK-32001, which has recently been operated on behalf of Tunisian carrier Tuninter and Air Arabia.

The Armavia A320 involved is reported to be a ten-year old model, bearing registration EK-32010. The fire comes just days after the carrier lost an A320 in the Black Sea, killing 113 on board, as the jet attempted to land at Sochi Airport in Russia.

Sabena Technics’ spokeswoman says there is no indication as to what caused the fire, adding that an investigation is continuing and that a clearer picture should emerge “in a matter of days”.