newstodate.aero
JIN 30, 2005 (newstodate): The merger of Icelandic-owned Sterling and the Danish Maersk Air will produce Europe's fourth largest low cost carrier after Ryanair, EasyJet, and Air Berlin.
Sterling, that will be the continuing brand as the Maersk Air-brand is gradually phased out, will operate Sterling's current ten Boeing 737 aircraft, to which will be added Maersk Air's 20 similar aircraft to constitute a joint fleet of 30 Boeing 737-500, -700 and -800 aircraft to lift today's joint volume of five million passengers between 80 destinations.
The ownership of the current Maersk Air aircraft will remain with the AP Moller Group and operated by Sterling on a six-year dry-lease arrangement, while Maersk Air has also announced that it does not intend to keep the ownership beyond that.
Sterling has also announced that it will continue the current two distinct business lines, charter operations and scheduled route traffic.
Sterling, that will be the continuing brand as the Maersk Air-brand is gradually phased out, will operate Sterling's current ten Boeing 737 aircraft, to which will be added Maersk Air's 20 similar aircraft to constitute a joint fleet of 30 Boeing 737-500, -700 and -800 aircraft to lift today's joint volume of five million passengers between 80 destinations.
The ownership of the current Maersk Air aircraft will remain with the AP Moller Group and operated by Sterling on a six-year dry-lease arrangement, while Maersk Air has also announced that it does not intend to keep the ownership beyond that.
Sterling has also announced that it will continue the current two distinct business lines, charter operations and scheduled route traffic.