Cargo B Airlines, a new all cargo airline based at Brussels Airport, said it plans to operate from the Belgian capital all-cargo flights serving major markets around the world such as the Middle and Far East, Africa and South America.

Subject to government approval, the operational start-up with two leased B747 freighter aircraft is planned for October 2007.

One of the aircraft will commence operations in October, with the second aircraft partly on standby during the three-month start-up period.

The introduction of a third freighter aircraft is scheduled for April 2008. The company said in a statement that its strategy will be to phase out these aircraft as from 2010 and replace them with newer, more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly equipment.

The first two aircraft have been bought by 3P Air Freighters Ltd, a company set up specifically for investment in aircraft and controlled by the well known Belgian investment bank, Petercam SA.

Cargo B Airlines said it aims to operate under a Belgian Aircraft Operating Certificate and will employ mostly Belgian nationals.

The three founders of the new airline are chief executive officer Robert Kuijpers, who has had many years’ industry experience, previously as executive chairman of SN Brussels Airlines and prior to that as CEO of DHL Worldwide Express. Captain Arno Broes who has held several senior management positions in the airline industry takes the position of executive VP operations, while Niek van der Weide, with a successful track record in airline cargo sales, will be the executive VP sales and marketing.