newstodate.aero
Feb 16, 2017 (newstodate): The Estonian carrier Nordica, now in a strategic partnership with LOT, is planning for sustained growth on all fronts in 2017.
-At this moment we are close to finalizing lease agreements for two more CRJ900 aircraft and we expect ideally to add a further two or three more of this type in 2017, be it either factory-new or used aircraft, says Sven Kukemelk, Nordica Executive Director Business Development.
-We are therefore also in the process of expanding our pilot staff by about one-third and with the coming expansion of operations we will add also some 10 percent on administrative staff in 2017.
-Our strategic partnership with LOT has been tremendously beneficial for us, bringing immediate value in the form of better deals in fueling, ground handling and a range of other aspects. At the same time we keep our identity as Estonia's national carrier fully intact, flying our logo and maintaining our distinct aircraft livery. Also, all decisions on the commercial side remain fully with us.
-For 2017, Nordica has already announced the opening of flights on a new route to Hamburg, and I expect ongoing negotiations to result in the announcing of a further two new destinations within two months, in time for Estonia's take-over of the EU Presidency in the latter part of this year.
-While details on this cannot be revealed at this moment, it is safe to say that the new destinations will probably be found among the EU capitals.
-We performed quite OK in 2016, and with the plans for 2017 I am rather confident that our development will be further spurred this year as well, says Mr Kukemelk.
In 2016, Nordica attained a share of 18 percent of the passengers through Tallinn Airport, gaining a 10 percentage-points advantage over the #2 largest airline serving the airport, the Latvian carrier airBaltic.
-At this moment we are close to finalizing lease agreements for two more CRJ900 aircraft and we expect ideally to add a further two or three more of this type in 2017, be it either factory-new or used aircraft, says Sven Kukemelk, Nordica Executive Director Business Development.
-We are therefore also in the process of expanding our pilot staff by about one-third and with the coming expansion of operations we will add also some 10 percent on administrative staff in 2017.
-Our strategic partnership with LOT has been tremendously beneficial for us, bringing immediate value in the form of better deals in fueling, ground handling and a range of other aspects. At the same time we keep our identity as Estonia's national carrier fully intact, flying our logo and maintaining our distinct aircraft livery. Also, all decisions on the commercial side remain fully with us.
-For 2017, Nordica has already announced the opening of flights on a new route to Hamburg, and I expect ongoing negotiations to result in the announcing of a further two new destinations within two months, in time for Estonia's take-over of the EU Presidency in the latter part of this year.
-While details on this cannot be revealed at this moment, it is safe to say that the new destinations will probably be found among the EU capitals.
-We performed quite OK in 2016, and with the plans for 2017 I am rather confident that our development will be further spurred this year as well, says Mr Kukemelk.
In 2016, Nordica attained a share of 18 percent of the passengers through Tallinn Airport, gaining a 10 percentage-points advantage over the #2 largest airline serving the airport, the Latvian carrier airBaltic.