Air Belgium touches down in SA with Belgian Royal Family

Air Belgium was the official carrier of the Belgian Royal Family as they arrived in South Africa recently on a state visit.

Belgian Royal Family in South Africa

After recently celebrating its first flight to South Africa in September last year, Air Belgium officially welcomed the Belgian Royal Family onboard its direct flight from Brussels to SA.

On board the flight was King Philippe and Queen Mathilde who visited South Africa on a five-day state visit. The Royal Family attended a number of business and government meetings and had cultural exchanges and tours of the country’s many landmarks, reports Tourism Update.

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According to Cape Town Etc, the King and Queen also visited Philippi Village in Cape Town, where they reopened a fully revamped 11-a-side football field following donations from the Belgian Chamber of Commerce, as well as unveiled a mural painted on a series of communal workspace-converted containers.

Niky Terzakis, Air Belgium CEO, said that the presence of the Belgian Royal Family only highlights the mutual respect and admiration between the two countries.

“Our direct flights between Brussels and Johannesburg provide not only convenience for travellers, but also valuable economic opportunities.” Terzakis said via Tourism Update.

“The presence of the Belgian Royal Family highlights the mutual respect and admiration between the two nations. We believe this visit is a significant milestone for Air Belgium, and we look forward to the many opportunities that will arise as a result of it,” Terzakis added.

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Direct connections

Air Belgium had announced its plans in April last year to operate seasonal flights to and from South Africa, namely Johannesburg and Cape Town starting in September 2022.

The flights are operated on two schedules a week from Brussels to Johannesburg, and then two to Cape Town. One Cape Town flight is direct, the other is linked to the Johannesburg flight.

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