newstodate.aero
Nov 03, 2014 (newstodate): While Estonian Air seems to well along the road towards an imminent privatisation, one problem that has been hampering the airline also seems to have been reduced, if not solved.
Since the start of the thorough restructuring of the carrier, the airline has seen three Embraer 170 aircraft in excess to cover the operation needs of a down-sized flight schedule.
Since January 1, 2014, one Embraer 170 has been placed with the UK company Air Charter Service appointed the sole agent for the aircraft in the West European ACMI and charter markets, leaving two aircraft burdening the cost base.
Now the carrier has seen growing success with charter contracts signed in October 2014 with tour operators Novatours and TEZ Tour for whom Estonian Air will operate flights to Turkey and Croatia in 2015.
Estonian Air flights to Antalya in Turkey, shared by Novatours and TEZ Tour, will be operated once a week on Saturdays from the end of April until the end of October.
Estonian Air flights to Rijeka in Croatia, operated for Novatours, will be operated once a week on Fridays from June to August 2015.
Prior to this latest new contracts, Estonian Air has also signed similar charter contract with other Lithuanian tour operators.
In addition, the carrier is also becoming engaged in scheduled domestic flights in Sweden from Gallivara and Lycksele to Stockholm Arlanda.
This means increased utilization of Estonian Air's aircraft fleet.
-The excess aircraft capacity is now sufficiently covered by existing contracts, says Ilona Eskelinen, Estonian Air communications manager.
Since the start of the thorough restructuring of the carrier, the airline has seen three Embraer 170 aircraft in excess to cover the operation needs of a down-sized flight schedule.
Since January 1, 2014, one Embraer 170 has been placed with the UK company Air Charter Service appointed the sole agent for the aircraft in the West European ACMI and charter markets, leaving two aircraft burdening the cost base.
Now the carrier has seen growing success with charter contracts signed in October 2014 with tour operators Novatours and TEZ Tour for whom Estonian Air will operate flights to Turkey and Croatia in 2015.
Estonian Air flights to Antalya in Turkey, shared by Novatours and TEZ Tour, will be operated once a week on Saturdays from the end of April until the end of October.
Estonian Air flights to Rijeka in Croatia, operated for Novatours, will be operated once a week on Fridays from June to August 2015.
Prior to this latest new contracts, Estonian Air has also signed similar charter contract with other Lithuanian tour operators.
In addition, the carrier is also becoming engaged in scheduled domestic flights in Sweden from Gallivara and Lycksele to Stockholm Arlanda.
This means increased utilization of Estonian Air's aircraft fleet.
-The excess aircraft capacity is now sufficiently covered by existing contracts, says Ilona Eskelinen, Estonian Air communications manager.