newstodate.aero
Jun 12, 2009 (newstodate): The world's first operator of the converted Q400 aircraft, the Swedish cargo operator Nord-Flyg is not seeing the success with the aircraft it hoped for.
-The aircraft performs excellently but the market is so low that it has proved difficult to find customers for it, says Ulf Darenius, Nord-Flyg CEO.
The carrier received its converted Q400PF in December 2008 and started operations from early 2009.
In March 2009 Nord-Flyg landed a contract with the French company Atlantic Air Lift, Nantes, to operate a new cargo flight four days a week between Nantes and Paris, marking the launch of the Q400 business.
-Unfortunately it turned out that the company did not have any money, so the contract never materialized, says Mr Darenius.
-We are searching the entire European market for business but volumes today are so low that we do not see any immediate contract looming. So far we are operating the aircraft on our own existing routes, and we are open to any arrangements spanning form ad-hoc charters to scheduled charters, leasing and ACMI contract.
-We are, however, confident of the aircraft's long-term success and have no plans for a sale - which would also be no attractive solution given the currently low demand in the market, says Mr Darenius.
Nord-Flyg was earlier talking to SAS about taking two more Q400 aircraft for conversion but these plans have been shelved.
-The aircraft performs excellently but the market is so low that it has proved difficult to find customers for it, says Ulf Darenius, Nord-Flyg CEO.
The carrier received its converted Q400PF in December 2008 and started operations from early 2009.
In March 2009 Nord-Flyg landed a contract with the French company Atlantic Air Lift, Nantes, to operate a new cargo flight four days a week between Nantes and Paris, marking the launch of the Q400 business.
-Unfortunately it turned out that the company did not have any money, so the contract never materialized, says Mr Darenius.
-We are searching the entire European market for business but volumes today are so low that we do not see any immediate contract looming. So far we are operating the aircraft on our own existing routes, and we are open to any arrangements spanning form ad-hoc charters to scheduled charters, leasing and ACMI contract.
-We are, however, confident of the aircraft's long-term success and have no plans for a sale - which would also be no attractive solution given the currently low demand in the market, says Mr Darenius.
Nord-Flyg was earlier talking to SAS about taking two more Q400 aircraft for conversion but these plans have been shelved.