SN Brussels Airlines and regional investment companies, as well as the Brussels and Walloon governments) set up SN Airholding, headed by Étienne Davignon. After the 2001 collapse of Sabena, Belgium's flag carrier airline, Belgium was left without a national airline. In February 2002, SN Airholding took over the Belgian airline DAT, a subsidiary of Sabena, and changed its trading name to SN Brussels Airlines. In 2002, a strategic reorganization started, led by the former CEO Peter Davies. On 12 April 2005 SN Brussels took holding control of Virgin Express and on 31 March 2006 they announced their merger. On 7 November 2006 they
Sabena technics specializes in the maintenance and repair of components, customized global support packages, management and distribution of spare parts, and Ground Support Test Equipment. The acquisition of this company consolidates the presence of Sabena technics across the Atlantic. This pooling of expertise and resources allows an improved response to the requirements of airlines based in North and South America. Sabena technics is present across 15 sites worldwide and its head office is based in Paris. The group also provides its customers with line maintenance operations at many other airports. This deployment is part of a key principle for the company, service