Sabena technics proximity. At Brussels Airport, Sabena technics employs a workforce of more than 400 person. Here, airframe maintenance is carried out on narrow and wide-body aircraft, as well as component repair and overhaul. The Brussels site benefits from specialized component workshops and a logistics center. It equally houses the heavy maintenance facility of X-air services. In July 2014, Brussels site recover his independence under the name of Sabena Aerospace. Sabena name having a huge Belgian ancrage (Sabena meaning "Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de Navigation Aérienne"). At Dinard-Pleurtuit-Saint-Malo airport, the facilities extend over a surface area of 35,000 m², with a workforce
Sabena planes were part of a record-order of 34 Airbus A320 family aircraft, imposed on Sabena when under Swissair management. 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. The company filed for legal protection against its creditors on 3 October, and went into liquidation on 6 November 2001. Fred Chaffart, Chairman of the Board