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(short for '''Vlaamse Luchttransportmaatschappij''' - Flemish Air Transport Company) is a
Belgian business airline.
VLM Airlines started operations in May
1993 with a scheduled service between
Antwerp and
London City Airport . In
2005 VLM Airlines reported its eighth consecutive year of profit. The airline employs 375 people, and carried 604,500 passengers in
2005 . Originally hubbed in
Antwerp , the airline now has its hub at
London City Airport .
In
2007 the airline reported its ninth consecutive year of profits and is the largest operator at London City Airport. For the year ending
31 December 2006 , it had a net profit of 3.2m Euro, an increase of 143% over the previous year. Turnover grew by 12.5% to 99.6m Euro and passenger numbers rose 9% to 681,751 for the year.
1
VLM Airlines also has charters to a number of destinations within
Europe . Expansion of its network has meant that by late
2006 VLM Airlines operates 104 flights each weekday from London City Airport
Airliner World January 2007.
As of January
2007 the VLM fleet includes:
VLM Airlines website , March 2007
- As of , providing additional capacity on the route.
VLM promotes itself as Europe’s premiere “Business Airline” and reflects this in its pursuit of superior service. Onboard, passengers are served substantial and fresh meals, and passengers can request a vegetarian or kosher meal at the time of reservation. Meals are presented on a half-tray, and all passengers are served drinks in real glasses with tea and coffee served in china cups. Such features are not commonly found on short haul airlines.
The airline also has a frequent flyer programme called VLM Encore, where passengers can earn points every time they fly VLM. Points can be redeemed for travel on VLM airlines.
