View source for Sabena

{{Short description|Defunct national airline of Belgium (1923–2001) }}
{{For|the language|Moskona language}}
{{use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2009}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline        = Sabena
| logo           = Sabena Logo.svg
| logo_size      = 200
| caption        = Sabena's last logo, used from 1993 to 2001.
| destinations   = 
| IATA           = SN
| ICAO           = SAB
| callsign       = SABENA
| founded        = {{start date|1923|05|23|df=yes}}
| ceased         = {{end date|2001|11|07|df=yes}}<br />{{small|(operations transferred to [[Delta Air Transport]], which later became [[SN Brussels Airlines]])}}
| headquarters   = [[Zaventem]], [[Belgium]]
| key_people     = {{bulleted list|
  | [[Christoph Mueller]] ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
  | Jean Louis Herremans ([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])}}
| hubs           = [[Brussels Airport]]
| frequent_flyer = [[Qualiflyer]]
| subsidiaries   = {{ubl|
 | {{nowrap|[[Delta Air Transport]] {{small|(1996–2001)}}}}
 | {{nowrap|[[Sobelair]] {{small|(1949–2001)}}}}}}
| alliance       = 
| fleet_size     = 
| website        = 
| image          = 
| aoc            = 
| focus_cities   = 
| parent         = 
| num_employees  = 
}}

The '''''Société anonyme belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation aérienne''''' (French; {{lit|Belgian Corporation for the Exploitation of Aerial Navigation}}), better known by the acronym '''Sabena''' or '''SABENA''', was the national airline and [[flag carrier]] of Belgium from 1923 to 2001, with its base at [[Brussels Airport]]. After its [[bankruptcy]] in 2001, [[SN Brussels Airlines]] was formed through a takeover of former subsidiary [[Delta Air Transport]] and took over part of Sabena's assets in February 2002. SN Brussels Airlines merged with [[Virgin Express]] in 2007 to form [[Brussels Airlines]]. The airline's corporate headquarters were located in the Sabena House on the grounds of [[Brussels Airport]] in [[Zaventem]].<ref>Von Schreiber, Sylvia. "[http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-20849245.html Organisierte Pleite]." ''[[Der Spiegel]]''. 26 November 2001. "Wenige Stunden vorher geschah noch weit Merkwürdigeres: Polizisten der Brüsseler "Aufspürungsbrigade 4" drangen in die Privatwohnungen von vier Managern und in das Firmengebäude Sabena House am Flughafen Zaventem ein."</ref>

==History==

===1923–1939: Beginnings===
[[File:Handley Page W.8b of Sabena transferring cargo - LBS SR01-01982.tif|thumb|left|A Sabena [[Handley Page Type W]] unloads cargo in Switzerland in 1924.]]
Sabena began operations on 23 May 1923 as the national carrier of Belgium.<ref>{{cite book |title=A Dictionary of Aviation |first=David W. |last=Wragg |isbn=9780850451634 |edition=first |publisher=Osprey |year=1973 |page=231}}</ref> The airline was created by the [[Federal Government of Belgium|Belgian government]] with help from the Devriendt family after its predecessor [[SNETA]] (''Syndicat national pour l'étude des transports aériens'', National Syndicate for the Study of Aerial Transports)—formed in 1919 to pioneer commercial aviation in Belgium—ceased operations. Sabena operated its first commercial flight from [[Haren, Belgium|Haren]], [[Haren Airport|Brussels]], to [[London]] (England) on 1 July 1923, via [[Ostend]]. Services to [[Rotterdam]] (Netherlands) and [[Strasbourg]] (France) were launched on 1 April 1924. The Strasbourg service was extended to [[Basel]] (Switzerland) on 10 June 1924. [[Amsterdam]] (Netherlands) was added on 1 September 1924, and [[Hamburg]] (Germany) followed on 1 May 1929 via [[Antwerp]], [[Düsseldorf]], and [[Essen]].

====Belgian Congo====
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2017}}
[[File:AL79-123 Refueling at Zinder Niger (14284829346).jpg|thumb|A [[Fokker F.VII]] in Sabena colours]]
When Sabena was created, the airline was partly funded by Belgians in the [[Belgian Congo]] [[colony]] who had lost their air service, an experimental passenger and cargo company ([[Ligne Aerienne du Roi Albert|LARA]]) between [[Léopoldville]], [[Lisala]], and [[Kisangani|Stanleyville]], a year earlier. They expected the new Belgian national airline to fill this gap. On 12 February 1925, Sabena aviators [[Edmond Thieffry]], Léopold Roger, and Joseph De Brycker succeeded in the feat of flying their Handley Page W8 F biplane from [[Brussels]], the capital of Belgium, to [[Kinshasa|Léopoldville]] (now Kinshasa), the capital of the [[Belgian Congo]], pioneering a long-haul route for passengers traveling between Europe and Africa, and [[Albert I of Belgium|King Albert]]'s daughter, [[Marie-José of Belgium|Princess Marie-José]], flew the route on April 3.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.air-journal.fr/2011-04-03-le-3-avril-1925-dans-le-ciel-arrivee-du-princesse-marie-jose-a-leopoldville-527640.html|title=Le 3 avril 1925 dans le ciel : Arrivée du Princesse Marie-José à Léopoldville (April 3, 1925 in the sky: Arrival of Princess Marie-José in Léopoldville) |website=air-journal.fr.}}.</ref> Throughout its history, Sabena had a long tradition of service to African destinations, and for a long time, these were the only profitable routes served by the airline.

Sabena used land planes for its Congo operations, and a program of aerodrome construction was initiated in the Congo. This was finished in 1926, and Sabena immediately began flights within the Belgian colony, the main route being [[Boma, Kongo Central|Boma]]-[[Léopoldville]]-[[Élisabethville]], a 2,288&nbsp;km (1,422&nbsp;mi) route over dense [[jungle]]. First, flights were operated with [[De Havilland DH.50]]s, although these were quickly replaced by the larger [[Handley Page Type W|Handley Page W.8f]] which had three engines and offered ten seats.

By 1931 Sabena's fleet, including the aircraft used on the Congo network, totalled 43 aircraft. Its mainstay type was the [[Fokker F.VII]]B, with a lesser number of smaller Fokker VIIA and 14 Handley-Page types. It also flew British [[Westland IV|Westland Wessex]] aircraft.

Sabena occasionally flew to tropical Africa, Belgium's Congo colony, but mostly these aircraft were shipped out. There was no direct flight yet between Belgium and the colony. As the 1930s progressed, Sabena cooperated with [[Air France]] and [[Deutsche Luft Hansa]], which also had interests in routes to destinations across Africa.

Sabena's first long-haul flight to the Congo occurred on 12 February 1935 and took five and a half days, for which Sabena used a Fokker F-VII/3m aircraft. The following year, Sabena purchased the [[Savoia-Marchetti SM.73]] airliner. With a speed of 300&nbsp;km/h (200&nbsp;mph), it reduced the journey time to only four days, and the Sabena service ran on alternate weeks to an [[Air Afrique]] service.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}
[[File:Savoia Marchetti S.73.jpg|thumb|A [[Savoia-Marchetti SM.73]] from Sabena, similar to the one that crashed in the [[1935 SABENA Savoia-Marchetti S.73 crash|1935 crash]].]]

====Expansion in Europe====
In Europe, Sabena opened services to [[Copenhagen]] and [[Malmö]] in 1931, and a route to Berlin was initiated in 1932. The mainstay pre-war airliner that Sabena used in Europe was the successful [[Junkers Ju 52]]/3m airliner. The airline's pre-war routes covered almost 6,000&nbsp;km within Europe. While the Brussels [[Haren Airport]] was Sabena's main base, the company also operated services from other Belgian airports and had a domestic network that was mainly used by businessmen who wanted to be in their coastal villas for the weekend.

In 1938, the airline purchased the new [[Savoia-Marchetti SM.83]], a development of the S.M. 73 with a speed of 435&nbsp;km/h (270&nbsp;mph), although it flew services at a cruising speed of about 400&nbsp;km/h (250&nbsp;mph).

===1939–1946: Wartime===
At the outbreak of [[World War&nbsp;II]] in 1939, Sabena's fleet totalled 18 aircraft. Its mainstay fleet type was the [[Savoia-Marchetti SM.73]] airliner (it had 11 of the type) and the Junkers Ju 52/3m airliner (it had five). Sabena also had just taken delivery of two [[Douglas DC-3]]s.

During the war, the airline maintained its Belgian Congo routes, but all European services ceased.

===1946–1960: Transatlantic expansion===
[[File:Douglas DC-3D OO-AUM Sabena Ringway 08.07.49 edited-3.jpg|thumb|[[Douglas DC-3]] of Sabena in 1949]]
[[File:Douglas DC-6B OO-CTI Sabena Ringway 13.11.55 edited-1.jpg|thumb|Sabena [[Douglas DC-6]]B arriving at Manchester Airport from New York in 1955]]
After the war, in 1946, Sabena resumed operating a network of intra-European scheduled services. The fleet initially consisted mainly of Douglas DC-3s. There were thousands of surplus [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]]s (the military variant of the DC-3) available to help airlines restart operations after the war. The airline now flew under the name of '''SABENA—Belgian World Airlines'''.

Sabena started its first transatlantic route to New York City on 4 June 1946, initially using unpressurised [[Douglas DC-4]] airliners, which were augmented and later replaced by [[Douglas DC-6]]Bs. The DC-4s also restarted the airline's traditional route to the Belgian Congo. Sabena was the first airline to introduce transatlantic schedules from the north of England, when one of its DC-6Bs inaugurated the Brussels-[[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]-[[New York City|New York]] route on 28 October 1953.

The [[Convair 240]] was introduced in 1949 to partially replace the DC-3s that until then had flown most European services. As of 1956, improved [[Convair 440|Convair&nbsp;440 "Metropolitan"]] twins began replacing the Convair 240 twins and were used successfully well into the 1960s between European regional destinations.

In 1957, the long-range [[Douglas DC-7]]C was introduced for long-haul routes, but this plane would begin to be supplanted after only three years by the [[jet age]]. It remained in service on the transatlantic route until 1962.

On 3 June 1954, a Soviet Air Force [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15]] ([[NATO reporting name]] "Fagot") attacked a Sabena-operated [[Douglas DC-3]] on a cargo flight from the United Kingdom to [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]], killing the radio operator and wounding both the captain and engineer. Co-pilot Douglas Wilson managed to land in Austria, but the plane suffered significant damage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19540603-0 |title=Aviation Safety Network |publisher=[[Aviation Safety Network]]|access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>

For the [[Expo 58|1958 world exposition]] in Brussels, Sabena leased two [[Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation|Lockheed Super Constellation]]s from [[Seaboard World Airlines]], using them mainly on transatlantic routes. In the same period, there were experiments with helicopter passenger service using [[Sikorsky S-58]] aircraft from Brussels to Antwerp, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, and the Paris heliport at [[Issy-les-Moulineaux]].

===1960–1990: The jet age===
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2017}}
{{Rail freight
|float=left
|title=Revenue Passenger-Kilometers, scheduled flights only, in millions
|1950|235
|1955|579
|1960|1,264
|1965|1,635
|1971|2,720
|1975|3,796
|1980|4,853
|1989|6,760
|1995|8,620
|2000|19,379
|source=ICAO Digest of Statistics for 1950-55, IATA World Air Transport Statistics 1960-2000
}}
[[File:Douglas DC-6 OO-SDC of Sabena - Heathrow 1960.jpg|thumb|Sabena [[Douglas DC-6]] at [[Heathrow Airport]] in 1960.]]
[[File:Boeing 707-329 Sabena short fin 1960.jpg|thumb|Sabena Boeing 707-329 in April 1960, shortly after delivery. This aircraft, OO-SJB, would later crash on [[Sabena Flight 548|Flight 548]].]]
[[File:AvionCaravelle.jpg|thumb|Sabena [[Sud Aviation Caravelle]].]]
[[File:Sabena Boeing 747-100 Marmet.jpg|thumb|right|A Sabena [[Boeing 747-100]] seen in 1976.]]
[[File:Douglas DC-10-30CF OO-SLB Sabena BRU 08.06.77 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|Sabena Douglas DC-10-30CF convertible pax/freighter at Brussels Airport in 1977.]]
[[File:Sabena Airbus A310-200 Gilliand.jpg|thumb|right|A Sabena [[Airbus A310]] seen in 1985.]]
[[File:Boeing 707-329C, Sabena AN1025018.jpg|thumb|A Sabena [[Boeing 707]] near its end of service, in 1981.]]
1960 saw the introduction of the [[Boeing 707|Boeing 707-320]] intercontinental jet for trans-Atlantic flights to New York. SABENA was mainland Europe's first airline to operate a jet across the Atlantic ([[BOAC]] had been flying jet transatlantic services using the [[De Havilland Comet|de Havilland Comet 4]] since 4 October 1958). One of Sabena's aircraft became the first Boeing 707 to crash while in commercial service when [[Sabena Flight 548|Flight 548]] crashed while preparing to land at the [[Brussels Airport]] on 15 February 1961. The United States Figure Skating Team was aboard the aircraft, en route from New York to Prague via Brussels to compete in a figure skating championship.

Six [[Sud Aviation Caravelle|Caravelle]] jetliners were introduced on all medium-haul routes in Europe from February 1961, being flown on most routes alongside the [[Convair 440]]s until the early 1970s.

The beginning of the 1960s saw a major upheaval for Sabena in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]]. Widespread rioting against Belgian colonials in the months leading up to and after the independence of the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] caused thousands of Belgians to flee the country. The Belgian government commandeered Sabena's entire long-haul fleet to get the refugees back to Europe. Independence also meant the end of the impressive regional network of routes that the airline had built up in the Congo since 1924. When the new republic began its own airline, [[Air Zaïre|Air Congo]], in June 1961, Sabena held 30 percent of that airline's shares.

The Douglas DC-6Bs remained in service with Sabena in the mid-1960s, although they were no longer used on the airline's main routes. The Boeing&nbsp;707s and Caravelles became the mainstay types during this decade. [[Boeing 727|Boeing 727-100s]] were introduced on important European routes and also some African services from 1967 in a unique colour scheme; the fin markings incorporated a bare-metal rudder and white engine colours. At this time [[Fokker F27]]s entered service between regional Belgian airports and European destinations such as [[Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]].

The [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-100]] was introduced in 1971, on transatlantic routes flying alongside the Boeing&nbsp;707-320Cs. Sabena, like many other transatlantic airlines, was satisfied with the Boeing&nbsp;707s. For commercial reasons, it was recognised that it had to buy jumbo jets for its prestige services, notably [[New York JFK]], and as of the mid-seventies, [[Chicago O'Hare]]. Sabena purchased only two first-generation jumbo jets, one named ''Tante Agathe'' (which means Aunt Agathe in French and Dutch, the national languages of Belgium), and it continued to fly the 707 into the early 1980s, as the Boeing 747-100's last flight occurred in 1993.

In 1973, the Boeing 727s on the European network were replaced by [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-200s]]. The [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10|McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30]] entered service in 1974. In total, Sabena purchased five of these convertible (passenger and freight) [[combi aircraft]] wide-body jets.

In 1984 [[Airbus A310]]s were introduced on routes that had high passenger density. This aircraft type also introduced a modernisation of the 1973 Sabena livery, in which a lighter blue was used and the titles on the fuselage were in a more modern style.

In June 1986 the first of two [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-300]] aircraft joined the fleet, eventually replacing the older 747-100s.

In 1989 Sabena invited Belgian fashion designer [[Olivier Strelli]] to create a new range of uniforms for its cabin crews.

===1990–1995: Sabena World Airlines===
[[File:Sabena, Dublin, May 1995.jpg|thumb|A Sabena Boeing 737 at [[Dublin Airport]] in 1995.]]
A new name, '''Sabena World Airlines''', and colours were introduced for the 1990s. The new livery had an overall white colour and the white circle tail logo in blue on the fin. A large "Sabena" title covered the [[fuselage]] in light blue, and the name "Belgian World Airlines" was at times just visible, though the title was also painted on the fuselage in small, clear letters. The 1990s saw further fleet type renewal: the DC-10-30s were replaced with twin-engined [[Airbus&nbsp;A330|Airbus A330s]], and the Boeing&nbsp;747s with four-engined [[Airbus A340|Airbus A340s]].
[[File:38be - Sabena Airbus A340-211; OO-SCW@ZRH;23.08.1998 (5126928987).jpg|thumb|To replace their old [[Boeing 747]]s, Sabena purchased many [[Airbus A340]]s. The first of these flew for the airline in 1993.]]

After the liberalisation of the airline industry throughout Europe and the economic consequences of the [[Gulf War]], the Belgian government, the main shareholder of the company, realized that Sabena had little chance of surviving on its own in this very competitive market and began searching for a suitable partner.

Sabena remained in a poor financial state, and year after year the Belgian government had to cover losses; however, it was prevented from providing new funds due to EU State Aid rules. For help in business due to their financial problems, Sabena leased a couple of Boeing 747s from [[Air France]]. Many more aircraft were leased for longer periods but had to keep their distinctive French [[Aircraft registration|registration numbers]]. 
[[File:Boeing 747-128, Sabena (Air France) AN0157599.jpg|thumb|A [[Boeing 747 | Boeing 747-128]] leased from [[Air France]] in 1992.]]

Around 1987, the Belgian authorities blocked the merger attempt between [[Scandinavian Airlines|SAS]] and the carrier. [[British Airways]] and [[KLM]] purchased stakes in Sabena in 1989 but later sold them back to the Belgian government. In 1993, [[Air France]] purchased a large minority stake in Sabena, which it sold soon after. Finally, in 1995, [[Swissair]] purchased a 49 percent stake in Sabena and took over management.

In 1993 Sabena adopted its third and final logo, and its head office was in the Air Terminus building on Rue Cardinal Mercier in [[Brussels]].<ref>"World Airline Directory." ''[[Flight International]]''. 24–30 March 1993. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1993/1993%20-%200642.html?search=Scanair 119].</ref>

In 1994, [[Paul Rusesabagina]], a manager for Sabena-owned hotels in the former Belgian territory of [[Rwanda]], sheltered over 1200 Tutsis and moderate Hutus at the [[Hôtel des Mille Collines]] of [[Kigali]], saving them from being slaughtered by the [[Interahamwe]] militia during the [[Rwandan genocide]] (this is depicted in the 2004 motion picture ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]'').<ref name="NYTimes">{{Cite news|last=Lacey|first=Marc|date=February 28, 2005|title=Rwandan Hotel Is Still Haunted by Horror|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/28/world/africa/rwandan-hotel-is-stillhaunted-by-horror.html|access-date=|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

===1995–2001: Swissair control===
[[File:Sabena 737-500.jpg|thumb|A Sabena [[Boeing 737 Classic|Boeing 737-500]] in 2000.]]
[[File:OO-DJE EGBB 2001.jpg|thumb|Sabena BAe 146 at Birmingham, 2001]]
When [[Swissair]] took over management of the airline, a few modifications were made to the aircraft's liveries, including a sticker saying, ''"Flying together with Swissair."'' In March and April 1998 two [[McDonnell-Douglas MD-11]] aircraft, both leased from [[CityBird]], joined the fleet, and such long-haul destinations as [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], [[Montreal]], and [[São Paulo]] were (re)introduced. Also, that year saw the delivery of the last passenger version of the MD-11 from Boeing, which merged with [[McDonnell Douglas]] a year before.

1999 saw new colours introduced to the fleet, beginning with an [[Airbus&nbsp;A340]]. One of the latest fleet types that Sabena introduced, right after the [[Airbus A321|A321]] and [[Airbus A320 family|A320]], was the [[Airbus A319|A319]], which saw service in 2000. These new planes were part of a record order of 34 [[Airbus A320 family]] aircraft, imposed on Sabena when under Swissair management.<ref name=":0" />

===2001: Bankruptcy===
[[File:Bae146.avrorj85.arp.750pix.jpg|thumb|SN Brussels Airlines [[BAe 146]] in the former Sabena livery at [[London Heathrow Airport]] in 2002.]]
After an airline recession and the effects on the airline industry of the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001, all airlines that flew across the Atlantic suffered. Swissair had pledged to invest millions in Sabena but failed to do so, partly because the airline had financial problems itself, having filed for bankruptcy protection one month prior. Sabena filed for legal protection against its creditors on 3 October and went into liquidation on 6 November 2001. [[Fred Chaffart]], chairman of the board of directors of Sabena, read a declaration on this day to explain the decision.

7 November 2001 was the final day of operations for Sabena. Flight 690 (operated by an [[Airbus A340-311]] registered as OO-SCZ) from [[Abidjan]], Ivory Coast, and [[Cotonou]], Benin, was the last Sabena flight to land in Brussels.<ref>{{cite web |author=Osborn |first=Andrew |date=7 November 2001 |title=Belgian airline goes bust with loss of 12,000 jobs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2001/nov/08/theairlineindustry.terrorismandtravel |access-date=17 March 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> The flight had 266 passengers and eleven crew members.

A group of investors managed to take over [[Delta Air Transport]], one of Sabena's subsidiaries, and transformed it into [[SN Brussels Airlines]]. That airline merged with [[Virgin Express]] in 2006 to form a new company, [[Brussels Airlines]].

The [[Belgian Parliament]] formed a committee to investigate the reasons behind the bankruptcy of Sabena and the involvement of Switzerland's flag carrier. At the same time, the company's administrator investigated possible legal steps against Swissair and its successors in interest, [[Swiss International Air Lines]] and [[Lufthansa]].

In 2006, the Belgian government, a former major shareholder, filed criminal charges against the former Swissair management. The former Swissair management was condemned by the judges.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dhnet.be/infos/societe/article/340682/sabena-obtient-enfin-justice.html |title=Sabena finally gets justice - the judges felt that the demise of Sabena was a consequence of non-compliance by Swissair contractual obligations - DBNet report January 2011 accessed 26 December 2011 |publisher=Dhnet.be |date=2011-01-28 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>

On 16 January 2007, the Belgian-Flemish news program ''Terzake'' reported that during the 1990s, several members of the board were paid large sums illegally through a Sabena affiliate in [[Bermuda]]. When Paul Reutlinger became the CEO of the company, he stopped the illegal payments. ''Terzake'' went on to state that this might explain why the Belgian board members remained quiet when it became apparent Swissair was exploiting Sabena and eventually drove the company into bankruptcy.

The reasons for the bankruptcy of Sabena are numerous. One of the direct causes was [[Swissair]] not living up to their contractual obligations and failing to inject necessary funds into the company. This was because at the time Swissair was having its own financial problems. In the so-called "Hotel Agreement," signed on July 17, 2001, Belgian prime minister [[Guy Verhofstadt]] met with Swissair boss [[Mario Corti (manager)|Mario Corti]], who agreed to inject €258&nbsp;million into Sabena, but the sum was never paid. The purchase of 34 new [[Airbus A320 family]] planes, imposed under Swissair's management, was a burden with which Sabena could not cope.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2003-06-12 |title=Airbus's secret past |url=https://www.economist.com/special-report/2003/06/12/airbuss-secret-past |access-date=2018-12-28 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |issn=0013-0613}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Gumbel|first=Peter|date=2002-10-20|title=The Last Days of Sabena|magazine=Time|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,366278,00.html|access-date=2018-12-28|issn=0040-781X}}</ref>

After the bankruptcy, a parliamentary commission in Belgium was established to investigate the demise of the airline. The Belgian politicians got a part of the blame; [[Rik Daems]], who, at the time, was Minister of Public Enterprises and Participations, Telecommunication, and Middle Classes, received the most criticism due to his lack of effort. Swissair itself went bankrupt in October 2001 and was liquidated in March 2002.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=|last2=|date=2001-11-07|title=Sabena files for bankruptcy|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2001/nov/07/theairlineindustry.terrorismandtravel|access-date=2018-12-28|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/sabena-bankrupt-as-its-last-flight-lands-1.402883|title=Sabena bankrupt as its last flight lands|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref>

==Destinations==
The flight schedule of Sabena published in March 2001 comprised 33 cities in Europe, 17 in Africa, 6 in North America, and 4 in Asia.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sabena.com/downloads/setup.exe | title=Flight schedule effective 25 March 2001 to 27 October 2001 | work=Sabena | access-date=17 March 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011028140040/http://www.sabena.com/downloads/setup.exe | archive-date=28 October 2001}}</ref> In addition to its air destinations, Sabena also had a ground shuttle service between [[Valenciennes]], France, and [[Brussels Airport]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sabena.com/asp/public/commercial/wings/pub_DetailOutstation.asp?OutstationId=128 | title=Did you ever fly by bus? | work=Sabena | access-date=2 May 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990909174510/http://www.sabena.com/asp/public/commercial/wings/pub_DetailOutstation.asp?OutstationId=128 | archive-date=9 September 1999}}</ref>
<!-- There is consensus against lists of airline destinations, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Aviation/Style_guide/Layout_(Airlines)#Destinations -->

==Fleet==
Sabena's fleet consisted of the following aircraft at the time of the bankruptcy in November 2001:{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|+ Sabena fleet
!rowspan=2|Aircraft
!rowspan=2|In <br /> service
!rowspan=2|Orders
!colspan=3|Passengers
!rowspan=2|Notes
|-
!<abbr title="Business Class">C</abbr>
!<abbr title="Economy Class">Y</abbr>
!Total
|-
|[[Airbus A319-100]]
|15
|10
|&mdash;
|131
|131
|On order but never delivered.
|-
|[[Airbus A320-200]]
|6
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|156
|156
|
|-
|[[Airbus A321-200]]
|3
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|188
|188
|
|-
|[[Airbus A330-200]]
|6
|&mdash;
|54
|187
|241
|
|-
|[[Airbus A330-300]]
|4
|&mdash;
|50
|222
|272
|
|-
|[[Airbus A340-200]]
|2
|&mdash;
|54
|198
|252
|
|-
|[[Airbus A340-300]]
|3
|3
|52
|242
|294
|On order but never delivered.
|-
|[[Boeing 737-300]]
|6
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|126
|126
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737-500]]
|6
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|111
|111
|
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas MD-11]]
|2
|&mdash;
|48
|249
|297
|Leased from [[CityBird]].<br />Last passenger version delivered in 1998.
|-
!Total
!53
!13
!colspan=4|
|}

During the time of the airline's existence, Sabena also operated these aircraft:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aerobernie.bplaced.net/Sabena.html|title=Sabena fleet|website=aerobernie.bplaced.net|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|+ Sabena historical fleet
|-
!Aircraft
!Total
!Introduced
!Retired
!Notes
|-
|[[Aérospatiale Alouette III]]
|1
|1957
|1968
|
|-
|[[Airbus A310-200]]
|3
|1984
|1997
|
|-
|[[Airbus A310-300]]
|3
|1987
|1997
|
|-
|[[Ansaldo A.300]]
|1
|1923
|1925
|
|-
|[[Airco DH.4]]
|2
|1923
|1926
|
|-
|[[Antonov An-12V]]
|1
|{{unknown}}
|{{unknown}}
|Leased from [[Balkan Bulgarian Airlines]].
|-
|[[ATR 72-200]]
|2
|1999
|2001
|Leased from [[Schreiner Airways]].
|-
|[[Auster Autocrat]]
|1
|1946
|1970
|
|-
|[[Avro Anson]]
|1
|1950
|1953
|
|-
|[[Avro RJ85]]
|14
|1995
|2001
|rowspan=2|Operated by [[Delta Air Transport]].
|-
|[[Avro RJ100]]
|12
|1997
|2001
|-
|[[BAC One-Eleven|BAC One-Eleven Series 500]]
|6
|1995
|1996
|Leased from [[European Aviation Air Charter]] and [[British World Airlines]].
|-
|[[Bell 47|Bell 47D-1]]
|3
|1950
|1954
|
|-
|[[Bell 47|Bell 47H]]
|1
|1957
|1963
|
|-
|[[Bréguet 19]]
|1
|1923
|{{unknown}}
|
|-
|[[BAe 146|British Aerospace BAe-146-200]]
|8
|1990
|2001
|Operated by [[Delta Air Transport]].
|-
|[[British Aerospace Jetstream 31]]
|1
|1996
|1996
|
|-
|[[Beechcraft 65]]
|1
|1968
|1970
|Operated by [[Delta Air Transport]].
|-
|[[Beechcraft 99]]
|2
|1976
|1986
|Operated by Publi-Air.
|-
|[[Blériot-SPAD S.33]]
|4
|1923
|1926
|
|-
|[[Boeing 707-320]]
|7
|1959
|1978
|
|-
|[[Boeing 707-320C]]
|10
|1965
|1996
|
|-
|[[Boeing 707-420]]
|1
|1978
|1978
|Leased from Geminair
|-
|[[Boeing 727-100]]
|6
|1967
|1978
|
|-
|[[Boeing 727-200]]
|1
|1997
|1997
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737-200]]
|16
|1974
|2001
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737-400]]
|3
|1991
|2001
|
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Boeing 747-100]]
|1
|1978
|1978
|rowspan=2|Leased from [[Air France]].
|-
|1
|1992
|1992
|-
|[[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-100SCD]]
|2
|1970
|1990
|
|-
|[[Boeing 747-200M]]
|2
|1993
|1996
|Leased from [[Air France]].
|-
|[[Boeing 747-300]]
|3
|1986
|1999
|
|-
|[[Bristol Freighter]]
|3
|1957
|1966
|Leased from [[Air Charter Limited]].
|-
|[[Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander]]
|2
|1971
|1975
|Operated by Publi-Air.
|-
|[[Cessna 172M]]
|1
|1990
|2001
|
|-
|[[Cessna 310]]
|11
|1957
|1982
|
|-
|[[Convair CV-240]]
|7
|1949
|1957
|
|-
|[[Convair CV-440]]
|12
|1956
|1968
|
|-
|[[de Havilland DH.9]]
|4
|1923
|1931
|
|-
|[[de Havilland DH.50]]
|2
|1923
|1927
|
|-
|[[de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth]]
|2
|1954
|1971
|
|-
|[[de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide]]
|1
|1949
|1950
|
|-
|[[de Havilland DH.104 Dove]]
|7
|1947
|1957
|
|-
|[[de Havilland DH.114 Heron]]
|1
|1967
|1968
|Operated by [[Belgian International Air Services]].
|-
|[[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]]
|1
|1973
|1981
|Operated by Publi-Air
|-
|[[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100]]
|1
|2000
|2001
|Leased from [[Schreiner Airways]].
|-
|[[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300]]
|12
|1990
|2001
|Operated by [[Delta Air Transport]].
|-
|[[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]]
|35
|1946
|1969
|
|-
|[[Douglas C-54 Skymaster]]
|3
|1947
|1961
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-3]]
|12
|1946
|1969
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-4]]
|13
|1947
|1964
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-6]]
|20
|1947
|1971
|
|-
|[[Douglas DC-7C]]
|9
|1956
|1964
|
|-
|[[Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia]]
|2
|1994
|{{unknown}}
|Operated by [[Delta Air Transport]].
|-
|[[Embraer EMB 121 Xingu]]
|5
|1991
|2001
|Operated by Belgian Flying School.
|-
|[[Farman F.60 Goliath]]
|4
|1923
|1929
|
|-
|[[Fairchild FH-227B]]
|3
|{{unknown}}
|{{unknown}}
|Operated by [[Delta Air Transport]].
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner]]
|3
|1976
|1989
|Operated by [[European Air Transport (Belgium)|European Air Transport]].
|-
|1
|1987
|1987
|Operated by Publi-Air.
|-
|[[Fokker F.II]]
|2
|1927
|1937
|
|-
|[[Fokker F.VII]]
|28
|1929
|1946
|
|-
|[[Fokker F-27 Friendship]]
|3
|1969
|1990
|
|-
|[[Fokker F-28 Fellowship]]
|11
|1993
|1996
|Operated by [[Delta Air Transport]].
|-
|[[Fokker 50]]
|1
|1990
|1991
|Leased from [[Maersk Air]].
|-
|[[Göppingen Gö 4]]
|1
|1956
|1957
|
|-
|[[Handley Page Type W|Handley Page W.8F]]
|15
|1924
|1935
|
|-
|[[Junkers F 13]]
|3
|1923
|1929
|
|-
|[[Junkers Ju 52]]
|9
|1936
|1946
|
|-
|[[Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra]]
|2
|1942
|1947
|
|-
|[[Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar]]
|7
|1941
|1949
|
|-
|[[Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation]]
|3
|1958
|1958
|Leased from [[Seaboard World Airlines]].
|-
|[[MBB/Kawasaki BK 117]]
|1
|1989
|1989
|
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30]]
|6
|1979
|1997
|
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30CF]]
|6
|1974
|1994
|
|-
|[[Piper L-4 Grasshopper]]
|2
|1954
|1963
|
|-
|[[Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six]]
|1
|{{unknown}}
|{{unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Piper PA-34 Seneca]]
|1
|{{unknown}}
|{{unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Rumpler C.IV]]
|4
|1923
|1929
|
|-
|[[Saab 91 Safir]]
|2
|1953
|1957
|
|-
|[[SABCA S.2]]
|1
|1926
|1933
|
|-
|[[Savoia-Marchetti SM.73]]
|12
|1935
|1940
|
|-
|[[Savoia-Marchetti SM.83]]
|4
|1938
|1940
|
|-
|[[Scheibe Spatz]]
|1
|1954
|1965
|
|-
|[[Schleicher Ka 2 Rhönschwalbe]]
|1
|1956
|1957
|
|-
|[[SIAI-Marchetti SF.260]]
|4
|1970
|1991
|
|-
|[[Sikorsky S-55]]
|6
|1953
|1957
|
|-
|[[Sikorsky S-58]]
|10
|1956
|1967
|
|-
|[[Sikorsky S-62]]
|1
|1960
|1961
|
|-
|[[Sud Aviation Caravelle]]
|12
|1961
|1977
|
|-
|[[Vertol 44]]
|2
|1958
|1958
|Leased from [[Vertol Aircraft Corporation]]
|-
|[[Westland IV]]
|4
|1930
|1935
|
|-
|}

==Accidents and incidents==
*7 December 1934: At least two SABENA aircraft were destroyed in a hangar fire at [[Haren Airport]] as a result of a crash of a military [[Fairey Fox]] biplane.

===Flights to or from Europe===
*11 September 1930: A SABCA F7b/3m (OO-AIN) lost control and crashed shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport following an unexplained in-flight fire, killing both pilots.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-sabca-f7b3m-croydon-2-killed|title=Crash of a Sabca F7b/3m in Croydon: 2 killed|website=Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives}}</ref>
*10 December 1935: A [[Savoia-Marchetti S.73]] ([[aircraft registration|registered]] OO-AGN) [[1935 SABENA Savoia-Marchetti S.73 crash|crashed]] at [[Tatsfield]], [[Surrey]], United Kingdom, with the loss of 11 lives.
*4 January 1937: [[Max Wenner]] disappeared from a Savoia Marchetti S.73 (registration OO-AGP) over Belgium; the plane itself was dismantled and hauled away by the Germans shortly after the [[German invasion of Belgium (1940)|invasion of Belgium in 1940]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Marut |first=Alex |date=17 October 2020 |title=Het enigma rond Max Wenner |trans-title=The enigma surrounding Max Victor Wenner |url=http://www.taskforceliberty.be/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/De-zaak-Wenner-en-Kruft-1.pdf |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=taskforceliberty.be |language=nl-be |publication-place=[[Genk]], Flanders, Belgium}}</ref>
*16 November 1937: A [[Junkers Ju 52|Junkers Ju 52/3m]] (registered OO-AUB) [[1937 Sabena Junkers Ju 52 Ostend crash|crashed near Ostend]], Belgium, while landing, killing all 12 people on board.
*10 October 1938: A Savoia-Marchetti S.73 (OO-AGT) broke up in mid-air over Soest, Germany, en route to Berlin from Düsseldorf, killing all 20 on board.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19381010-0|title=OO-AGT}}</ref>
*14 March 1939: A Junkers Ju 52/3mge (OO-AUA) crashed in a field at Sint-Stevens-Woluwe due to pilot error, killing the three crew. The aircraft was operating a cargo (mail) flight from London to Brussels.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19390314-0|title=OO-AUA}}</ref>
*17 September 1946: A [[Douglas DC-3]] (registered OO-AUR) crashed upon takeoff from [[Haren Airport]], killing one crew member. The other two crew and four passengers on board the flight bound for [[Croydon Airport]] survived. The aircraft had lost airspeed on takeoff for unknown reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19460917-0 |title=17 September 1946 accident at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1946-09-17 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>

[[File:PBY over DC-4 crashsite Newfoundland 1946.jpeg|thumb|right|The crash site of the DC-4 in [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]].]]

*18 September 1946: 27 people died when a SABENA [[Douglas DC-4]] (OO-CBG) crashed 35&nbsp;km short of [[Gander International Airport|Gander, Newfoundland]], where the aircraft planned to land for a refueling stop on the flight from Brussels to New York. At the time of the accident, there was dense fog near the airport, and the pilot executed a flawed approach at too low an altitude. There were 17 survivors (16 passengers and one crew). The dead remain buried on location beside the remains of the wreck of the aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19460918-0 |title=ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-4-1009 OO-CBG Gander, NF |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1946-09-18 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref><ref>''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7L5TTQUth8 78 Years Later! The Tragic Story of the Sabena Plane Crash]'' (video, via YouTube, 16 minutes), Abandoned Urbex Canada, 5 October 2024</ref>
*2 March 1948: The 19 passengers and three crew members on a flight from Brussels to London died when a [[Douglas DC-3]] registered OO-AWH [[1948 Heathrow disaster|crashed]] on approach to [[London Heathrow Airport]] in low visibility conditions.
*18 December 1949: A [[Douglas DC-3]] (registered OO-AUQ) [[1949 Sabena DC-3 Crash|crashed]] near [[Aulnay-sous-Bois]], France, killing the four passengers and four crew on board. The aircraft had just left [[Le Bourget Airport]] for a flight to Brussels when a wing separated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19491218-0 |title=December 1949 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1949-12-18 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*14 October 1953: A [[Convair CV-240 family|Convair CV-240]] (registered OO-AWQ) [[1953 Sabena Convair CV-240 crash|crashed]] near [[Kelsterbach]], West Germany, killing the 40&nbsp;passengers and four crew aboard the flight from [[Frankfurt]] to Brussels. Engine power was lost upon takeoff from [[Frankfurt Airport]], making the aircraft impossible to control. The accident remains the deadliest involving the Convair 240.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19531014-0 |title=October 1953 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1953-10-14 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*19 December 1953: One passenger on board a flight from Brussels to [[Zürich]] was killed when the aircraft (a CV-240 registered OO-AWO) hit the ground 2.5&nbsp;km short of the runway threshold of [[Zurich Airport|Kloten Airport]]. In low visibility conditions, the pilot descended below the [[Instrument landing system|glidepath]]. The other 39 passengers and three crew members survived the accident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19531219-0 |title=December 1953 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*3 June 1954: A [[Douglas DC-3]] (registered OO-CBY) was {{Interlanguage link|1954 Sabena DC-3 Shootdown|lt=attacked|de|Beschuss einer Douglas C-47 der Sabena bei Maribor}} by a [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15]] fighter aircraft near [[Maribor]], Yugoslavia. The aircraft, on a cargo flight from [[Blackbushe Airport]] to [[Belgrade]], remained airborne, and a forced landing at [[Graz Airport]] was carried out, during which it ran off the runway. In the incident, one out of the four people on board was killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19540603-0 |title=1954 military occurrence at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*13 February 1955: The pilots of [[Sabena Flight 503|Flight 503]] from Brussels to Rome lost orientation when approaching [[Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport|Ciampino Airport]], resulting in the Douglas DC-6 registered OO-SDB crashing into the slope of [[Monte Terminillo]], killing the 21 passengers and eight crew on board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19550213-0 |title=1954 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1955-02-13 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*15 February 1961: The crash of [[Sabena Flight 548|Flight 548]] with its 73 casualties marked the worst accident in the history of SABENA. The aircraft, a [[Boeing 707]] registered OO-SJB, crashed at [[Brussels Airport]] at the end of a flight from [[Idlewild Airport|New York City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19610215-3 |title=Flight 548 at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1961-02-15 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref> Among the dead was the entire American delegation to the 1961 [[World Figure Skating Championships]] slated to be held in [[Prague]]; the competition was canceled in the aftermath.
*13 July 1968: {{Interlanguage link|Sabena Flight 712|lt=Flight 712|fr|Vol Sabena 712|nl|Sabena-vlucht 712}}, a cargo-configured 707 (registered OO-SJK), crashed upon approach to [[Murtala Muhammed International Airport|Lagos Airport]] in Nigeria on a flight from Brussels, killing the seven occupants. It was determined that the aircraft descended too low and struck trees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19680713-0 |title=1968 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1968-07-13 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*9 May 1970: A [[Douglas DC-3]] (registered OO-AUX) was damaged beyond repair in a ground accident at [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]]. The pilots began to taxi the aircraft even though they had not been cleared to do so, which resulted in the right propeller hitting an obstacle on the ground and debris destroying the airliner beyond economic repair. The aircraft had been leased from Delta Air Transport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19700509-2 |title=1970 incident at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*8 May 1972: [[Sabena Flight 571 hijacking|Flight 571]] from Vienna to [[Tel Aviv]] with 101 people on board (a Boeing 707 registered OO-SJG) was hijacked by four members of the terrorist organization [[Black September (group)|Black September]] to secure the release of 315 detainees from Israeli prisons. At [[Ben-Gurion International Airport]], two hijackers were shot and killed by the Israeli ''[[Sayeret Matkal]]'' special forces. One passenger died later of the wounds she had suffered in the shootout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19720508-0 |title=1970 hijacking at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>

[[File:B-707 OO-SJE Sabena F145-21-b.jpg|thumb|right|The wreck of the Boeing 707 (OO-SJE) at [[Tenerife North Airport]]]]

*15 February 1978: A [[Boeing 707]] (registered OO-SJE) undershot the runway at [[Tenerife North Airport|Los Rodeos Airport]], causing the nose gear to collapse, at the end of a chartered holiday flight from Brussels with 189 passengers and seven crew on board. All passengers and crew were evacuated safely, but the spilled fuel caught fire, destroying the aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19780215-1 |title=February 1978 incident at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*4 April 1978: A [[Boeing 737-200]] (registered OO-SDH) on a training flight suffered a [[bird strike]] during a practice landing at [[Brussels South Charleroi Airport|Charleroi Airport]]. The pilot instructor attempted to get the aircraft airborne again but failed because of insufficient remaining runway. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19780404-1 |title=April 1978 incident at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*29 August 1998: Flight 542 from New York to Brussels with 248 passengers and 11 crew members on board, an [[Airbus A340-200]] (registered OO-SCW), suffered a broken right landing gear upon landing at Brussels Airport. The aircraft veered off the runway. There were no notable injuries in the ensuing evacuation, and the aircraft was repaired. Main gear metal fatigue was blamed for the incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19980829-1 |title=1998 incident at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1998-08-29 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*13 October 2000: Flight 689 from Brussels to [[Abidjan]] was hijacked by a Nigerian national who was due to be deported. The [[Airbus A330-200]] with 146 other passengers and 11 crew members on board was forced to land at [[Málaga Airport]] in Spain, where the perpetrator was overpowered by local police forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20001013-0 |title=2000 hijacking at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=2000-10-13 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*4 December 2000: [[Sabena Flight 877|Flight 877]] from Brussels to [[Nairobi]], Kenya, via [[Bujumbura]], Burundi, was struck by machine gun fire as it approached Bujumbura. Bullets had injured a passenger and cabin crew member. One engine also suffered damage. The Airbus&nbsp;A330-200 registered OO-SFR, carrying 170&nbsp;passengers and crew, was struck in an attack blamed by the government on Hutu rebels, who denied responsibility. The aircraft landed safely but did not continue the flight. The aircraft was repaired and returned to service.<ref>{{cite web|last=Eismont |first=Maria |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/story?id=118608 |title=Gunfire Damages Sabena Jet in Burundi, abc News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>

===Flights in the Belgian colonies===
*26 January 1937: A SABCA S.73 (OO-AGR) crashed south of Oran-es Senia Airport, Algeria, during a round trip from Belgium to the Belgian Congo, killing all 12 on board. During the flight back to Belgium, the aircraft was approaching Oran for an en route stop. Witnesses noticed the aircraft flying at {{convert|1000|m|ft|abbr=on}} when it went into a sudden nosedive until it crashed. The cause was not determined, but bad weather and engine problems were ruled out. Several recommendations were issued in the wake of the accident: the center of gravity and baggage requirements are checked to ensure proper load distribution; adequate maintenance and inspection personnel are available in the Congo and ports of call; maximum hours of piloting are reviewed to avoid fatigue, as well as provide use of the autopilot;seat belts are required for pilots;all security measures are taken for crossing the Mediterranean; and more cockpit instruments are installed. <ref>{{ASN accident|id=19370126-0|title=OO-AGR}}</ref>
*1 January 1943: A [[Junkers Ju 52]] (registered OO-AUG) crashed 80&nbsp;mi from [[Bangui]] in then [[French Equatorial Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19430101-0 |title=1943 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1943-01-01 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*25 March 1944: A Junkers Ju 52/3mge (OO-AGU) crashed at Costermansville (now [[Bukavu]]), [[Belgian Congo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19440325-2 |title=March 1944 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1944-03-25 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*3 April 1944: A Junkers Ju 52/3mge (OO-AUF) crashed nearby at Mongena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19440403-3 |title=April 1944 accident at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1944-04-03 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*14 December 1945: A [[Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar]] (registered OO-CAK) caught fire and was subsequently destroyed following a forced landing near [[Kouandé]] during a flight that had originated at [[Lagos]], Nigeria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19451214-0 |title=1945 incident at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1945-12-14 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*7 January 1947: A [[Douglas DC-3]] (registered OO-CBO) crashed near Costermansville.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19470107-0 |title=January 1947 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1947-01-07 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*24 December 1947: A Lockheed Lodestar (registered OO-CAR) experienced an engine failure shortly after takeoff from an airfield near [[Mitwaba]], then French Congo, and subsequently crashed, killing the five occupants on board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19471224-0 |title=December 1947 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1947-12-24 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*12 May 1948: A [[Douglas DC-4]] (registered OO-CBE) [[1948 Sabena DC-4 Crash|crashed]] near Magazini after flying into a tornado at low altitude during a scheduled passenger flight from Léopoldville (now [[Kinshasa]]) to [[Libenge]], then Belgian Congo, killing the 24 passengers and seven crew members; only one passenger survived.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19480512-0 |title=May 1948 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1948-05-12 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*31 August 1948: Another 13 people (ten passengers, three crew) were killed when their aircraft, a [[Douglas DC-3]] (registered OO-UBL), [[1948 Sabena Douglas C-47 crash|crashed]] near Kimbwe en route to Elizabethville (now [[Lubumbashi]]) from [[Manono, Democratic Republic of the Congo|Manono]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19480831-0 |title=August 1948 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1948-08-31 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*27 August 1949: A [[Douglas DC-3]] (registered OO-CBK) experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from [[N'Dolo Airport|Leopoldville Airport]] for a flight to Elizabethville (now [[Lubumbashi]]), with 17&nbsp;passengers and three crew on board. The three crew members and two out of the seventeen passengers on board died in the ensuing {{Interlanguage link|1949 Sabena DC-4 Crash|lt=crash|de|Flugunfall der Sabena bei Léopoldville}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19490827-0 |title=August 1949 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1949-08-27 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*24 July 1951: The right engine of a cargo-configured [[Douglas DC-3]] (registered OO-CBA) failed on takeoff from [[Gao International Airport|Gao Airfield]] and {{Interlanguage link|1951 Sabena DC-3 Crash|lt=crashed|de|Flugunfall der Sabena bei Gao}}, resulting in the loss of lives of the three persons on board. The engine failed due to hydraulic failure; hydraulic fluid squirted on the windshield, temporarily blinding the pilots, who then lost control of the aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19510724-0 |title=1951 accident at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1951-07-24 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*4 February 1952: {{Interlanguage link|Sabena Flight 425|lt=Flight 425|de|Sabena-Flug 425}}, a C-47A (registered OO-CBA), crashed in the Dibata forest some {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Kikwit]] en route from Costermansville to Léopoldville after a blade broke off the right side propeller and cut through the fuselage, severing control cables and resulting in a loss of control, killing all 16 on board. The propeller blade broke off following a shaft failure when the number two engine stopped suddenly after the piston lug on the No. 6 cylinder failed due to fatigue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19520204-0 |title=1952 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1952-02-04 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>
*18 May 1958: A [[Douglas DC-7]] (registered OO-SFA) suffered a problem with its leftmost engine whilst on a flight from [[Lisbon]] to Léopoldville with 56&nbsp;passengers and nine crew members. The pilots prepared for an emergency landing at [[Casablanca–Anfa Airport]], but shortly before touchdown, a [[go-around]] was attempted, which resulted in a [[Stall (flight)|stall]] because of the lesser available engine power. The aircraft crashed into buildings and caught fire, from which only four passengers could be saved alive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19580518-0 |title=1958 crash at the Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |date=1958-05-18 |access-date=2014-07-23}}</ref>

[[File:Douglas DC-7C OO-SFC Sabena RWY 18.08.62 edited-3.jpg|thumb|A [[Douglas DC-7C]] similar to this one crashed in 1958 at [[Casablanca]] due to a mechanical failure.]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
*[[Sabena technics]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite journal |last1=Wulf|first1=Herman de|title=An Airline at War|journal=[[Air Enthusiast]]|date=August–November 1990|issue=13|pages=72–77 |issn=0143-5450}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Taylor|first1=H. A.|last2=Alting|first2=Peter|name-list-style=amp |title=Fokker's 'Lucky Seven'|journal=Air Enthusiast |date=April–July 1980|issue=12 |pages=24–38 |issn=0143-5450}}
*{{cite book|last=Vanthemsche|first=Guy|title=La Sabena: L'Aviation Commerciale Belge, 1923 - 2001, des Origines au Crash|date=2002|publisher=De Boeck Univ.|location=Brussels|isbn=9782804139810|edition=1st}}
*{{cite journal|last=Vanthemsche|first=Guy|title=The Birth of Commercial Air Transport in Belgium (1919-1923)|journal=Revue belge de philologie et d'histoire|volume=78|number=3|year=2000|pages=913–44|doi=10.3406/rbph.2000.4471|url=http://www.persee.fr/doc/rbph_0035-0818_2000_num_78_3_4471?}}

== External links ==
{{commons category-inline|Sabena}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.sabena.com Sabena] (Archive)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/*/sabenaindia.com Sabena India] (Archive)
*[http://www.sabenatechnics.com Sabena Technics]
*[http://www.sfa.be Sabena Flight Academy]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20011212083627/http://www.sabeniens.com/ Sabeniens]}}
*[http://www.svagroup.org/sabena/ Official Virtual Airline]
*Gumbel, Peter. "{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071016040743/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,366278,00.html The Last Days of Sabena]}}." ''[[TIME (magazine)|TIME]]''. Sunday October 20, 2002.
* {{PM20|FID=co/019463|TEXT=Documents and clippings about|NAME=}}

{{Airlines of Belgium}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Sabena| ]]
[[Category:Belgian companies established in 1923]]
[[Category:Defunct airlines of Belgium]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1923]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2001]]
[[Category:Zaventem]]
[[Category:Economic history of Belgium]]