Sabena successor gets a new name

The successor to Sabena is to be called SN Brussels Airlines.

The name was chosen from more than 50 proposals.

Chief executive Rob Kuijpers says it allows the airline to keep the blue and white "S" of Sabena's logo, as well as the airline's SN code for flight numbers.

He adds: "If we had the money it would probably be better to start anew."

But the slimmed-down airline can't afford to "throw everything out," he says.

The new name will appear "gradually" on the planes, which will be painted with new blue bellies and a yellow stripe. The logo on the tail will remain.

The first plane sporting the SN Brussels Airlines design will be put into service on February 27.

New uniforms and other material will be issued later.

The airline had been flying as Delta Air Transport (DAT), which was a subsidiary of Sabena, since the Belgian flag-carrier declared bankruptcy last November.

Merger talks are underway with Virgin Express, a budget carrier, with a decision expected by the end of February.