From the VLM website
VLM Airlines to introduce Jet services
BAe 146 to serve high-density London City – Rotterdam route
Antwerp, Monday 5 March 2007, VLM Airlines has today announced that it will
enhance its fleet with the introduction of a jet aircraft for the first time
The 92-seat BAe 146-300 will enter service on April 16th, 2007, and will be
operated on one of the airline’s busiest routes betweenLondon City and
Rotterdam City
The jet is being introduced into VLM Airlines’ fleet to enable it to
increase capacity on one of its busiest routes, where it will operate
alongside the carrier’s Fokker 50 aircraft. The airline will maintain its
ten daily return flights between London City and Rotterdam, with four to be
operated by the BAe 146. The airline carried over 130,000 passengers on the
route in 2006, and estimates that it will carry around 190,000 in 2007.
The VLM Airlines BAe 146-300 will seat up to 92 passengers, in a spacious
five abreast (3+2) configuration, with leather seats and a generous seat
pitch of 32 inches. This is a stark contrast to most other large airlines
which offer up to 110 seats on this type, in a tight 3+3 configuration, with
a seat pitch of just 28-29 inches.
Johan Vanneste, Managing Director of VLM Airlines comments: “We are
delighted to be introducing the BAe 146 jet to our fleet. Increasing
numbers of business travellers are utilising our network and, in particular,
our London City to Rotterdam service, and this larger, faster aircraft is
essential to meet this growing demand.“
The jet’s arrival will release some Fokker 50 capacity from its London City
to Rotterdam route, allowing VLM Airlines to increase frequencies on other
routes within its network. The airline currently operates a fleet of 19
Fokker 50 aircraft, and will add a further two of the aircraft to its fleet
this year.