VLM Airlines is a Belgian airline offering scheduled, charter and ACMI (= Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance leasing) services. It was headquartered at Antwerp International Airport in Deurne.
VLM Airlines started operations in May 1993 with a scheduled service between Antwerp International Airport and London City Airport. "VLM" is an abbreviation of Vlaamse Luchttransport Maatschappij, "Flemish Air Transport Company". Its original hub was Antwerp; this was switched to London City, and after a management buy-out late in 2014, it was again based at Antwerp Airport.
On 24 December 2007, Air France-KLM agreed to buy the company from Panta Holdings and announced on 28 May 2009 that VLM Airlines would gradually start to operate under the brand name CityJet, used by the Irish regional partner of Air France-KLM. In 2010 the name VLM Airlines had been replaced altogether by CityJet. However, the merger was never completed.
In early 2014, following the sale of CityJet by Air France to German investor Intro Aviation, the latter decided to "demerge" Cityjet and VLM. VLM would from then on provide aircraft and crews on an ACMI basis.
On 13 May 2016, VLM Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection at a court in Antwerp after accumulating €6 million of debt. On 9 September 2016, SHS Antwerp Aviation reached an agreement with receivers. SHS Antwerp Aviation is owned by the Dutch SHS Aviation b.v. From November 2016, it employes 15 people. To start operations, a new AOC (Air Operator Certifcate) needed to be obtained. The new fleet currently has seven Fokker 50's registered to SHS Antwerp Aviation.
Livery
Fokker 50 (F-27-050), registration OO-VLI, built 1991, serial number 20226 Munich Airport (MUC/EDDM), Germany, 4 April 2018
