newstodate.aero
Jun 26, 2013 (newstodate): Air Greenland is positive towards competition in the country's aviation business - provided players stick to equal terms.
The carrier thus refutes claims by newstodate that "Greenland's air services have traditionally been protected in favor of the state-owned carrier Air Greenland". (See story on June 24, 2013, "Fate of Greenland's new LCC still shrouded in mist..")
-Contrary to public opinion, Air Greenland is actually exposed to competition every year, says Christian Keldsen, Air Greenland Chief Commercial Officer.
-This year alone, Air Greenland is seeing four competitors in the market, expanding to five if Greenland Express actually starts operations. Some operators offer scheduled services, others charter flights. In the market now are thus Air Miami, Air Berlin, Atlantic Airways and Air Iceland/Icelandair Group.
-As for Greenland Express, we have actually been pushing on our government to see their application being handled as fast as possible. Greenland Express has, however, confused the market by certain announcements and by airing unrealistic expectations that may be harmful to the general demand in the market.
-We are regularly faced with projects like Greenland Express, and every year we have to relate to new upstarts in the Greenlandic aviation market. but most often these remain void when professionals realize the limited scope of the market.
-In our experience, competition can expand the market provided new operators bring with them a better distribution, or if they can grasp a market we either do not reach ourselves, or do not have the means to enter. This has been case for instance with Air Iceland/the Icelandair Group.
-In the case of Greenland Express, we do not see they would bring in anything new to Greenland. Actually, they have asked us if they might take over some of our passengers, says Mr Keldsen.
Air Greenland also stresses the point that as an airline they do not play any role in the application process that remains with the government of Greenland and the Danish Transport Authority.
Air Greenland is owned by the Government of Greenland, the SAS Group, and the Government of Denmark.
The carrier thus refutes claims by newstodate that "Greenland's air services have traditionally been protected in favor of the state-owned carrier Air Greenland". (See story on June 24, 2013, "Fate of Greenland's new LCC still shrouded in mist..")
-Contrary to public opinion, Air Greenland is actually exposed to competition every year, says Christian Keldsen, Air Greenland Chief Commercial Officer.
-This year alone, Air Greenland is seeing four competitors in the market, expanding to five if Greenland Express actually starts operations. Some operators offer scheduled services, others charter flights. In the market now are thus Air Miami, Air Berlin, Atlantic Airways and Air Iceland/Icelandair Group.
-As for Greenland Express, we have actually been pushing on our government to see their application being handled as fast as possible. Greenland Express has, however, confused the market by certain announcements and by airing unrealistic expectations that may be harmful to the general demand in the market.
-We are regularly faced with projects like Greenland Express, and every year we have to relate to new upstarts in the Greenlandic aviation market. but most often these remain void when professionals realize the limited scope of the market.
-In our experience, competition can expand the market provided new operators bring with them a better distribution, or if they can grasp a market we either do not reach ourselves, or do not have the means to enter. This has been case for instance with Air Iceland/the Icelandair Group.
-In the case of Greenland Express, we do not see they would bring in anything new to Greenland. Actually, they have asked us if they might take over some of our passengers, says Mr Keldsen.
Air Greenland also stresses the point that as an airline they do not play any role in the application process that remains with the government of Greenland and the Danish Transport Authority.
Air Greenland is owned by the Government of Greenland, the SAS Group, and the Government of Denmark.