Virgin Express
Belgium · VIRGIN EXPRESS · Active
Airline Identity
History
The airline that became Virgin Express started in November 1991 as EuroBelgian Airlines (EBA), a Belgian low-cost carrier. Richard Branson's Virgin Group acquired and rebranded it as Virgin Express on 2 September 1996, operating a Boeing 737 fleet from Brussels. Virgin Group sold its stake to SN Airholding (the parent of SN Brussels Airlines, itself the successor to national carrier Sabena) in 2004. On 31 March 2006, SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express announced a merger of their operations, which was completed on 25 March 2007, creating Brussels Airlines as the combined successor carrier.
Current Operations
Virgin Express no longer exists as an independent airline. It merged with SN Brussels Airlines, with the combined carrier operating under the new Brussels Airlines brand from 25 March 2007. Brussels Airlines went on to become part of the Lufthansa Group (which built up a majority and eventually full ownership stake through the 2010s), and continues to operate today as Lufthansa Group's Belgian flag-carrier brand, based at Brussels Airport, flying a European short-haul network alongside long-haul routes to Africa inherited in large part from SN Brussels Airlines' network.
Last verified 2026-09-02· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.