After a difficult launch phase, new carrier Air Belgium has now obtained Russian overflight rights, clearing the way for the airline to begin long-haul services to Asia in June.
CEO Nikos Terzakis told Luchtvaartnieuws that the inaugural route between Brussels South Charleroi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is scheduled to commence this month. The carrier also expects to have a third Airbus A340 fully operational by the end of the month, which will expand its capacity for intercontinental operations.
Securing the additional aircraft will enable Air Belgium to extend services to destinations on the Chinese mainland in the months following the Hong Kong launch. The airline has prioritized starting the Hong Kong service first, and that initial launch date has already been adjusted on two occasions.
Recent delays were attributed primarily to the absence of Russian overflight permissions, which prevented the carrier from finalizing efficient flight routings. In addition, technical issues with the airline’s global distribution system (GDS) complicated the booking flow for travel agencies and Chinese tour operators, making it difficult for groups to be directed to Air Belgium flights.
With the overflight clearance now in place and the A340 fleet expansion proceeding as planned, Air Belgium is moving ahead with its Asian ambitions. The airline’s management has emphasized that operational readiness, regulatory approvals and distribution connectivity are all critical factors in launching and sustaining long-haul routes. Addressing those elements has been central to the carrier’s recent efforts.
Industry observers note that obtaining overflight rights can be a complex process involving bilateral agreements and approvals from airspace authorities, and delays of this nature are not uncommon for new carriers expanding into long-haul markets. For Air Belgium, securing Russian permission removes a significant barrier to optimized routings between Belgium and East Asia and should reduce flight times and fuel costs on the Hong Kong sector compared with detours that avoid Russian airspace.
The carrier’s deployment of a third A340 will also provide greater schedule flexibility and the ability to absorb additional demand, particularly as the airline looks to attract both independent travelers and tour groups. Improving the GDS connections remains a priority to ensure that travel agents and large-group operators can seamlessly book and manage reservations on Air Belgium services.
Air Belgium’s management has signaled that, once the Hong Kong route is established and operating reliably, the airline will evaluate opportunities to introduce services to major Chinese mainland airports. Those plans will depend on continued aircraft availability, effective distribution partnerships, and the completion of any remaining bilateral traffic rights required for mainland routes.
For now, passengers can expect the Hong Kong service to be the airline’s first step into the Asian market. The combination of newly secured overflight rights and increased aircraft resources positions Air Belgium to begin scheduled flights this month and to pursue further expansion into Asia in the coming months as operational and commercial conditions allow.