- published: 13 Nov 2012
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Sabena was the national airline of Belgium from 1923 to 2001, with its base at Brussels National Airport. After its bankruptcy in 2001, the newly formed SN Brussels Airlines took over part of Sabena's assets in February 2002, which then became Brussels Airlines. The airline had its corporate headquarters in the Sabena House on the grounds of Brussels Airport in Zaventem.
SABENA is short for Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne ('Belgian corporation for exploiting aerial navigation'). It began operations on 23 May 1923 as the national carrier of Belgium. It had been created by the Belgian government after its predecessor SNETA (Syndicat national pour l'étude des transports aériens) - formed in 1919 to pioneer commercial aviation in Belgium - ceased operations. The first commercial flight of Sabena was operated between Brussels and London (UK) on 1 July 1923 via Ostend. Services to Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Strasbourg (France) were launched on 1 April 1924. The Strasbourg service was extended to Basle (Switzerland) on 10 June 1924. Amsterdam (Netherlands) was added on 1 September 1924, and Hamburg (Germany) followed on 1 May 1929 via Antwerp, Düsseldorf, and Essen.