Unfortunately for Freddy, the requirement for a business plan to get an Operating Licence isn't even a Belgian government one but is mandated by the EU as can be seen if you <a href="http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/lif/dat/1992/en_392R2407.html" target="_blank">click here.</a>
Article 5 clearly states:
[quote]Article 5
1. An applicant air transport undertaking to which an operating licence is granted for the first time must be able to demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the competent authorities of the licensing Member State that:
(a) it can meet at any time its actual and potential obligations, established under realistic assumptions, for a period of 24 months from the start of operations; and
(b) it can meet its fixed and operational costs incurred from operations according to its business plan and established under realistic assumptions, for a period of three months from the start of operations, without taking into account any income from its operations.
2. For the purpose of paragraph 1, each applicant shall submit a business plan for, at least, the first two years of operation. The business plan shall also detail the applicant's financial links with any other commercial activities in which the applicant is engaged either directly or through related undertakings. The applicant shall also provide all relevant information, in particular the data referred to in part A of the Annex.
3. An air carrier shall notify in advance to its licensing authority plans for: operation of a new scheduled service or a non-scheduled service to a continent or world region not previously served, changes in the type or number of aircraft used or a substantial change in the scale of its activities. It shall also notify in advance any intended mergers or acquisitions and shall notify its licensing authority within fourteen days of any change in the ownership of any single shareholding which represents 10 % or more of the total shareholding of the air carrier or of its parent or ultimate holding company. The submission of a 12 month business plan two months in advance of the period to which it refers shall constitute sufficient notice under this paragraph for the purpose of changes to current operations and/or circumstances which are included in that business plan.<hr></blockquote>
(my emphases)
Article 5 (3) obviously applies if the DAT rights are intended to be used.
It's very clear.
No business plan = no Operating Licence.
No Operating Licence = no airline.