newstodate.aero
Feb 13, 2015 (newstodate): Greenland Express is struggling to finally get everything ready for launch of flights on a new route network.
The carrier is planning for flights between Denmark and Greenland with one Airbus A319 aircraft as well as flights with two aircraft on a feeder route network in Greenland connecting to the Atlantic airport at Kangerlussuaq.
The domestic airports in Greenland are Nuuk, Manitsooq, Sisimiut, Aasiaat, Upernavik, and Ilulissat.
Some of these airports have very short runways limiting the choice of aircraft suitable for serving the feeder routes under the country's very harsh and turbulent meteorological conditions.
-We have not yet made a final decision on this aircraft type. The ATR aircraft would be great to have but our consultant has ruled out its cabability to serve this route network. The Dash 8 aircraft might be an option, but few are available in the market, and both Embraer 110 and Fokker 50 have also been ruled out for various operational reasons, says Gert Brask, Greenland Express CEO.
-As matters stand now, Dornier 228 might be a good choice, capable of operating at the airports and carrying a suitable load of 19 passengers with luggage. But again, the final decision is still pending, but imminent.
-We are now also awaiting the final approval of our plans by Greenland's government. This process has been drawing out, forcing us to postpone the opening of bookings now expected to start in the latter part of February, says Mr Brask.
The carrier is planning for flights between Denmark and Greenland with one Airbus A319 aircraft as well as flights with two aircraft on a feeder route network in Greenland connecting to the Atlantic airport at Kangerlussuaq.
The domestic airports in Greenland are Nuuk, Manitsooq, Sisimiut, Aasiaat, Upernavik, and Ilulissat.
Some of these airports have very short runways limiting the choice of aircraft suitable for serving the feeder routes under the country's very harsh and turbulent meteorological conditions.
-We have not yet made a final decision on this aircraft type. The ATR aircraft would be great to have but our consultant has ruled out its cabability to serve this route network. The Dash 8 aircraft might be an option, but few are available in the market, and both Embraer 110 and Fokker 50 have also been ruled out for various operational reasons, says Gert Brask, Greenland Express CEO.
-As matters stand now, Dornier 228 might be a good choice, capable of operating at the airports and carrying a suitable load of 19 passengers with luggage. But again, the final decision is still pending, but imminent.
-We are now also awaiting the final approval of our plans by Greenland's government. This process has been drawing out, forcing us to postpone the opening of bookings now expected to start in the latter part of February, says Mr Brask.