Johan Vanneste has joined Sabena's commuter subsidiary Delta Air Transport (DAT) as chief executive just days after he failed to interest the Belgian flag carrier in a scheme to resurrect Air Belgium as a feeder airline.
The appointment became effective immediately after Vanneste was left jobless after his attempt to resuscitate Air Belgium, where he was managing director, collapsed. Several European airlines, including Sabena, had rejected his scheme which would have allowed the ex-charter operator to resume services as a low-cost airline, providing wet-lease Embraer ERJ-145s to bigger airlines (Flight International, 15-21 May).
Vanneste will be responsible for introducing Embraer aircraft on low density routes which he had previously eyed for Air Belgium.
Source: Flight International
