2023-10-31 14:45:19
Brussels businessman Aldo Vastapane died this Tuesday at the age of 97, announces La Libre on its website, citing several relatives of the baron.
Aldo Vastapane, son of Italian immigrants, was born on February 1, 1926 in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. Following in the footsteps of his father, who already imported the Martini into Belgium, he quickly launched into business by founding Etablissements Vastapane which then managed different brands of wines and spirits.
He quickly broadened his horizons by investing in the automobile sector (Simca and Mercedes importer), then in real estate, a market which would be particularly flourishing for his finances. It is notably part of the project “Manhattan“, which has transformed the Northern Quarter of Brussels into an office zone. But it also has marbles in Interparking and in “The Swan House“, one of the prestigious establishments on the Grand-Place.
At the end of the 1950s, he also obtained a monopoly on Duty Free stores at Zaventem airport (Skyshops), before acquiring them in other countries. It was in this context that he met the businessman Albert Frère, with whom he would subsequently do several business deals. Aldo Vastapane will notably become a director of the GBL holding of the tycoon Carolo.
At the beginning of the 2000s, Aldo Vastapane took over Sobelair, the charter subsidiary of Sabena, thus avoiding bankruptcy, or at least granting it a certain respite since the company was finally declared bankrupt in January 2004. But Aldo Vastapane did not let not do and will appeal this decision. In June 2024, in a twist, the bankruptcy of Sobelair was canceled due to formal defects. Bankruptcy was therefore declared, it was a compulsory liquidation which was decided by the Court. The businessman planned to receive damages from the Belgian State and then pay them to the dismissed staff of his Company. Aldo Vastapane will be more discreet thereafter. In 2006, he received the title of baron.
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