Sabena: The Rise and Fall of Belgium's National Carrier

Operating as Belgium’s flagship airline for nearly eighty years, Sabena facilitated global travel from its inception in 1923 until its financial collapse in 2001. The carrier initially focused on connecting Brussels with other European cities and established extensive, often profitable, routes within the Belgian Congo. Throughout the mid-20th century, the company transitioned into the jet age, expanding its reach with transatlantic flights and modernizing its fleet with Boeing and Airbus aircraft. However, the airline’s later years were marked by severe fiscal instability, leading to a minority takeover by Swissair and an eventual bankruptcy. Following its dissolution, the airline's assets helped form the foundation for SN Brussels Airlines, which later became the contemporary Brussels Airlines. This historical record also details a significant number of aviation accidents and the political controversies surrounding the company's ultimate demise.