newstodate.aero
Jul 01, 2016 (newstodate): No change in strategy by Atlantic Airways, the Faero Islands carrier!
Doubts arose over a possible change in thinking on the part of the carrier as the decision was announced to operate only Airbus A320 Family aircraft and thus not to take in smaller regional aircraft to serve the short-haul flights under the NORD strategy as earlier envisaged.
These doubts were further nourished as the carrier signed a five-year contract with tour operator Folkeferie to fly tourists to a number of Mediterranean and other leisure destinations starting from Summer 2016.
At the presentation of the carrier's new strategy in 2015, the focus was strictly on serving the Faero Islands with connectivity and pull out from the ACMI and charter markets.
-Both in regard to the NORD and the rest of the route network, the Airbus aircraft represents an investment in the future in response to a noticeable rise in passenger volumes all across the network. We expect this trend to continue, and it would therefore be unwise to reduce the aircraft capacity with smaller aircraft, says Johanna a Berghi, Atlantic Airways CEO.
-As for the NORD strategy, we do not currently consider adding more destinations to this network.
-Selling excess capacity was always part of the new strategy, provided that this would not interfere with the scheduled flights. We are now organizing the charter traffic accordingly, and the contract with Folkeferie is just one example of these efforts.
-Summing it up, we are indeed pursuing our strategy as announced in Summer 2014, says Ms a Berghi.
On May 1, 2015, Atlantic Airways inked a firm order with Airbus for acquisition of an Airbus 320 to be delivered in late 2016, adding to the fleet now comprising two Airbus A319 aircraft.
The new aircraft will primarily be serving Atlantic Airways' trunk route between the Faero Islands and Copenhagen that is seeing increasing demand, requiring additional capacity compared to the Airbus A319 currently serving this route.
Doubts arose over a possible change in thinking on the part of the carrier as the decision was announced to operate only Airbus A320 Family aircraft and thus not to take in smaller regional aircraft to serve the short-haul flights under the NORD strategy as earlier envisaged.
These doubts were further nourished as the carrier signed a five-year contract with tour operator Folkeferie to fly tourists to a number of Mediterranean and other leisure destinations starting from Summer 2016.
At the presentation of the carrier's new strategy in 2015, the focus was strictly on serving the Faero Islands with connectivity and pull out from the ACMI and charter markets.
-Both in regard to the NORD and the rest of the route network, the Airbus aircraft represents an investment in the future in response to a noticeable rise in passenger volumes all across the network. We expect this trend to continue, and it would therefore be unwise to reduce the aircraft capacity with smaller aircraft, says Johanna a Berghi, Atlantic Airways CEO.
-As for the NORD strategy, we do not currently consider adding more destinations to this network.
-Selling excess capacity was always part of the new strategy, provided that this would not interfere with the scheduled flights. We are now organizing the charter traffic accordingly, and the contract with Folkeferie is just one example of these efforts.
-Summing it up, we are indeed pursuing our strategy as announced in Summer 2014, says Ms a Berghi.
On May 1, 2015, Atlantic Airways inked a firm order with Airbus for acquisition of an Airbus 320 to be delivered in late 2016, adding to the fleet now comprising two Airbus A319 aircraft.
The new aircraft will primarily be serving Atlantic Airways' trunk route between the Faero Islands and Copenhagen that is seeing increasing demand, requiring additional capacity compared to the Airbus A319 currently serving this route.