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VG Airlines: Belgium’s Short-Lived A330 Dream

VG Airlines: Belgium’s Short-Lived A330 Dream

Posted by Malcolm on 5th May 2026

Quick history of VG Airlines

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VG Airlines was a Belgian long-haul airline created in the aftermath of Sabena’s collapse. Sabena, Belgium’s historic flag carrier, went bankrupt in 2001, leaving a gap in long-haul routes from Brussels. VG Airlines was formed to fill that gap, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft and employing former Sabena staff. Its base was Brussels Airport, with services primarily to North America.
The airline’s name was inspired by Freddy Van Gaever, a well-known Belgian aviation figure who had been involved with Delta Air Transport, European Air Transport, and VLM. VG Airlines began revenue flying in May 2002, with its first service to New York, followed by Boston and a Brussels–Yerevan–Los Angeles operation in partnership with Armenian Airlines.
Despite the stylish black-and-grey livery and ambitious transatlantic plans, the airline struggled almost immediately. Problems included delays in obtaining its Air Operator’s Certificate, weak advertising, poor inbound bookings from the United States, ticketing and reservation issues, and financial problems related to partner airlines and charter work.
In August 2002, VG Airlines was renamed Delsey Airlines after the luggage brand, which was linked to investor Antonius “Tony” Gram. The rebrand was an attempt to give the airline a more international identity, but it came too late. Flights were suspended in October, and the airline ceased flying operations shortly afterwards. A Belgian commercial court granted its bankruptcy request on 6 November 2002.
At the time of closure, the airline had operated just three Airbus A330-200s, serving Brussels to New York, Boston and Los Angeles.

What happened to them?

In simple terms: VG Airlines tried to replace part of Sabena’s long-haul network, but launched into a very difficult market with too little time, too many financial pressures, and not enough bookings. The Delsey rebrand did not save it, and the airline disappeared after only a few months of operation.