NEW YORK -- The brand-new Belgian carrier that in May began flying
bankrupt Sabena's old transatlantic routes as VG Airlines has been
redubbed Delsey Airlines, after the luggage brand owned by airline
founder Freddy van Gaever.
The name change will bring Delsey -- which flies three Airbus
A330-200 jets nonstop to Brussels from New York (Kennedy), Boston
and Los Angeles -- better brand recognition in the marketplace,
said Carlo Verelst, the carrier's general manager for the U.S.
"Nobody knew what 'VG' stood for," said Verelst. "But I've
questioned people walking around Kennedy Airport, and many
surprisingly do know the Delsey brand of luggage."
For those who didn't know, the "VG" in VG Airlines stood for van
Gaever's initials.
"I think Delsey is absolutely a better choice of name," Verelst
added. Delsey luggage is a household name among European
vacationers.
The Delsey setting sun logo has been added to livery on one
plane; new paint schemes partly retaining the colors of the Belgian
flag used in the former branding will appear on the rest of the
fleet by October.
A new Web address at www.delseyairlines.com already has been
launched; the carrier's exisiting www.flyvg.com and www.vgair.be sites will link to it shortly,
said Verelst.
The airline's U.S. call center phone number remains (800)
536-5984, and on line reservations still can be made at www.flyvg.com.