Sabena, short for Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne, was the national airline of Belgium. Here is a brief history of Sabena:

Founding and Early Years (1923-1930): Sabena was founded on May 23, 1923, as the national flag carrier of Belgium. It commenced operations in 1923 with a fleet of primarily French-built aircraft. The airline's early years were marked by expansion and the establishment of international routes to neighboring European countries.

World War II (1939-1945): During World War II, Sabena faced significant challenges. The airline suspended its regular operations as German forces occupied Belgium. The Germans requisitioned Sabena's aircraft, and the airline struggled to resume operations after the war.

Post-War Reconstruction and Expansion (1945-1960s): After World War II, Sabena focused on rebuilding and expanding its network. The airline acquired new aircraft, including jets like the Sud Aviation Caravelle. Sabena became one of the early operators of jet airliners in Europe.

Challenges and Decline (1970s-1990s): Sabena faced financial difficulties and increased competition during the 1970s and 1980s. Labor strikes, high operating costs, and mismanagement contributed to the airline's challenges. In 1995, Sabena was partially privatized, but financial problems persisted.

Bankruptcy (2001): Sabena declared bankruptcy on November 7, 2001, marking the end of its operations. The airline's collapse was attributed to a combination of financial troubles, high operating costs, and the global downturn in the airline industry after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.

Legacy: Sabena's bankruptcy led to the creation of a successor airline, SN Brussels Airlines, later rebranded as Brussels Airlines. Brussels Airlines continued to operate some of Sabena's former routes and inherited a portion of its fleet.

Sabena remains a part of Belgian aviation history, remembered for its role as the national carrier and for the challenges it faced during its later years. The airline's demise marked a significant turning point in Belgium's aviation landscape.