Notice to Travellers

Air Belgium will resume its flights to the French West Indies as planned from mid-December 2020.

We do our utmost to provide you with information and ensure you a smooth journey. 

Therefore, Air Belgium representatives met the Prefect of the Region of the Islands of Guadeloupe on Tuesday November 24^th to assess the situation and prepare the resumption of our routes:

• Air Belgium flights between Brussels-Charleroi and Pointe-à-Pitre are still well scheduled and expected.
• The main condition to entering Guadeloupe’s territory remains the obligation for travellers to provide a negative RT-PCR test. This test must be carried out within 72 hours before departure of your flight.
• Compelling reasons are not required to travel and Belgian tourists are welcome. You will be able to enjoy the hotels, restaurants and the many beaches that are open and waiting for you.
• Of course, our COVID-19 sanitary measures are still effective to ensure the safety of all our passengers. Please feel free to consult the detailed list of measures here.

Our delegation will be received today by the Authorities in Martinique and we will soon keep you informed of the situation on the island.  

We look forward to welcoming you on board. Again, thank you again for your trust.

The Air Belgium Team

Dear Travellers,

Due to the current sanitary context and the global crisis we are facing, we have no choice but to adjust, like many other airlines, our flight schedules.

You will find in this notice the latest updates concerning our direct lines to the Islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Mauritius.

• Modification of the flight schedule to the French West Indies

Unfortunately, due to the latest developments in the COVID-19 health crisis in Martinique and the islands of Guadeloupe, the Belgian Authorities are maintaining their classification as a red zone and the local Authorities of the two islands impose numerous restrictions on travellers (limited access to beaches, reduced service in accommodations that may be open). In addition to these restrictions, it is still compulsory to carry out a RT-PCR test on both outbound and inbound flights. Therefore, the daily evolution of the crisis in the islands drastically affects the arrival of travellers and makes our passengers’ journeys complicated and unstable for the days to come. Given this situation, and like many other airlines, we have to modify our flight schedules to the French West Indies.  

Nonetheless, the good news is that the latest indicators suggest that the islands will welcome visitors again in a safe and pleasant environment, in the coming weeks. Air Belgium will resume its flights on December 15^th, 2020. Take a look at our sanitary measures via this link.

• Modification of the flight schedule to Mauritius

A few weeks before the launch of our first flights to Mauritius, the Mauritian Authorities have chosen to keep their island closed to tourists. Only Mauritian nationals and residents as well as long term tourists can stay in Mauritius, following several RT-PCR tests and strict compliance with a 14-day quarantine period in certain accommodations selected by the Authorities. Following our exchanges with the local Authorities, similar measures, equally drastic and prohibitive, will be enforced on holidaymakers and travellers wishing to visit the island in the coming weeks, providing that the island reopens its borders to all traveller profiles before the end of this year. These restrictions make travel for our passengers extremely challenging, if not impossible. 

Given this situation and the uncertainty as to the reopening of the island's borders (no official calendar nor confirmation to date) and like many other airlines, we have no choice but to accept the circumstances by postponing the start date of our flights to Mauritius to March 30^th, 2021.  

• Changing your booking

we offer you the possibility to postpone your flights at no extra charge (*). All you need to do is to inform us of your new desired travel dates, EXCLUSIVELY by email before December 31^st, 2020 at the following address: [email protected]. Please mention passengers’ full names, booking reference and the new travel dates.

All our passengers are individually contacted by email or telephone by our customer support.  

As we have done since the crisis began, each traveller will be taken care of in order of priority according to departure dates and assisted by our teams to make the desired changes.

All reservations for additional services (e.g. choice of seat, transport of a pet, ...) will be maintained as part of the new reservation and, of course, free of charge.

As provided in our ZEN formula, should you decide to completely withdraw from your trip, we agree to a refund. You may contact us at [email protected] stating that you would like a refund. We are committed to give you a full refund as soon as possible.

Le monde dans sa globalité et les secteurs de l’aviation et du tourisme en particulier font face à une situation sans précédent et extrêmement difficile à gérer. Nous sommes conscients qu’il en est de même pour vous et nous sommes impatients de vous emmener à nouveau vers nos superbes destinations et vous permettre d’y passer un magnifique séjour. 

The world, and the aviation and tourism industries particularly, are facing an unprecedented and extremely difficult situation. We are aware that the same goes for you and we very much look forward to flying you back to our beautiful destinations and allowing you to spend a wonderful stay.

We genuinely thank you for your trust and look forward to welcoming you on board. Take care 😊

Kind Regards,

The Air Belgium Team

(*) Depending on seasonality and seat availability.

Dear Travellers,

We are following the developments concerning Mauritius reopening for travellers and tourist on a daily basis. According to the latest information received from the Mauritian Government and official Authorities, it appears that the island's reopening is planned by phases.

The island would gradually reopen its borders between September and December 2020 and allow by order of priority: the entry of Mauritian nationals, followed by business travellers and lastly, tourists as from December 2020. The Prime Minister of Mauritius will communicate on the travel conditions for travellers to access the island by end of September.

We will keep you informed on our website, via our newsletters and social media if further updates are received from Authorities.

We would also like to remind you that Air Belgium offers each passenger real peace of mind with its "ZEN" formula. For any flight ticket purchased on its routes up to and including October 31^st , 2020, you have the option to change your travel dates or destination free of charge. You are also guaranteed a refund in case of a flight cancellation. Visit our website to get more details on these “ZEN” booking conditions.

Lastly, we would like to inform you, on a factual basis, of the situation following the shipwreck of the Japanese bulk carrier that occurred on July 25^th. The oil spill took place at Pointe d'Esny. The Tourism Board confirms that the hydrocarbons losses are mainly localized in a specific and limited area in the South-East of the island.

Therefore, and although we all deplore this situation, it has been officially reconfirmed that the Northern and Western regions of the island regrouping the majority of hotels, beaches and touristic centres have been preserved. Overall, nearly 310 kilometres around the island representing 96% of the Mauritian coastline remain intact. For more information, you can refer to Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority's statement issued on September 5^th, via this link.

We will keep you informed of the evolution of the situation if necessary.

The Air Belgium Team

Dear Travellers,

The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday the temporary classification of Guadeloupe as a red zone as from this Friday September 4^th, 2020 at 4:00 PM.

Information for our passengers departing from Brussels Charleroi to Guadeloupe – Departure scheduled on Saturday September 5^th, 2020:

• Following the decision to classify Guadeloupe as a red zone, it is therefore forbidden for any Belgian national to travel to Guadeloupe if he/she cannot justify compelling reasons for the trip. This does not apply to foreign nationals who are not residents in Belgium (including French passengers residing in France).
• These measures do not concern passengers travelling to Martinique, which remains classified as an orange zone.
• As a reminder, the French Government also imposes to all passengers boarding a flight to Martinique and Guadeloupe to carry out an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to the departure of their flight and provide a certificate showing negative results. If this requirement is not met, passengers will be denied boarding.

Information for our passengers returning from Guadeloupe – Arrival at Brussels Charleroi scheduled on Sunday September 6^th, 2020:

• All Belgian nationals coming back from Guadeloupe will be obliged to pass an RT-PCR test upon return and to respect a quarantine of fourteen days.
• These measures do not apply to passengers coming from Martinique, which remains classified in the orange zone.
• As a reminder, the Belgian State also requires all passengers to complete the "Passenger Locator Form" in the 48 hours preceding their return flight to Belgium.

We deplore this situation and have no choice but to accept the decisions and measures imposed. If you would like more information, we invite you to visit the website of the Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs.

We continue to do our utmost to welcome you in the best possible conditions and offer you the most enjoyable flying experience.

We look forward to seeing you on board.

The Air Belgium Team

Dear Traveller,

We understand that the current sanitary context may cause uncertainty and stress for those of you who wish to book their next travel or holiday.

If you are in in doubt, we have something that will reassure you!

We offer you peace of mind with our "ZEN” formula applicable to all tickets booked on our scheduled routes and destinations.

Just relax! As we are waiving all extra charges for any flight ticket purchased from now on until October 31, 2020 included you will be able:

• To modify your travel dates for a trip planned before December 31, 2021 included.
• To change your destination for a trip before December 31, 2021 included.

And since we want everyone to feel “super ZEN” 😊 you may also be fully reimbursed in the event we are prevented from operating some of our flights due to eventual COVID-19 restrictions.

• Should you wish to modify your travel dates, you may login via the “My Booking” section on airbelgium.com to select your new travel dates up to 48H before your departure (*).

• Should you wish to switch your destination, we kindly ask you to inform us at least 7 days prior to your initial scheduled departure at the following email address: [email protected] (*).  

Spare yourself the hassle of last-minute bookings, and benefit from our attractive early fares! Book now your preferred dates at the most suitable fares, and simply stay “ZEN”.

For more information, visit our COVID-19 page for more details on our “ZEN” formula”.

We look forward to welcoming you on board very soon and thank you for your trust.

The Air Belgium Team

(*) This offer is valid for bookings made from August 21st, 2020 until October 31^st, 2020 included and for any travel date. Possibility to change dates and destination once, without administrative charges and regardless of your initial ticket conditions. In the event you are changing dates and/or destination leading to a fare increase, you will simply be asked to pay the difference before your departure date. In the event of a decrease in fare you will be reimbursed. All other conditions and services related to your initial ticket remain valid and applicable subject to availability.

In order to prevent any risk to human food and animal feed and to guarantee healthy and good quality crops, the European Union (EU) places great emphasis on plant and crop protection. Consequently, the movement of plants from third countries is monitored in order to prevent harmful organisms from being introduced into, spreading and establishing themselves in the EU.

As a reminder, since 14 December 2019, the import of plant material from third countries is banned in all EU member states through an EU regulation.

This means that the import of plants, fruit, vegetables, cut flowers, seeds and other fresh parts, soil and certain types of wood from countries outside the European Union is prohibited. This ban on the import of plant material also applies to the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyane, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin as well as the Canary Islands and Ceuta and Melilla.

However, the import of plant material may be authorised if it comes with a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin.

There are also exemptions for certain types of fruit, including pineapple, coconut, durian, banana and dates, which can be imported from any third country.

High-risk products (potatoes, soil, leafs, citrus fruit etc.) are systematically prohibited.

The customs departments of the EU member states carry out checks.

Dear Passengers,

Good news for your (furry) friend! If your dog is a brachycephalic (or ‘short-headed’) breed, you can take him along with Air Belgium.

How does it work? All you need to do is complete and sign a waiver form. The form is mandatory, whether your pet travels in the cabin or hold.

You can find all the relevant information in the ‘Travelling with pets’ section on our website.

Happy travels, and we hope to see you soon!

Dear Passengers,

We would like to draw your attention to the customs regulations to observe for your journey to the French Antilles.

Although Fort-de-France and Pointe-à-Pitre are part of the French territory, the overseas territories like Martinique and Guadeloupe are in fact treated as non-EU territories.

As such, restrictions on the import of products from these territories do apply. Consequently, you are only allowed to bring back one litre of alcohol per person (rum, in particular).

For further information, please visit the Belgian Customs and Excise Service website or the French Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes portal.

We look forward to welcoming you on board soon!