newstodate.aero
Aug 30, 2018 (newstodate): Danish Air Transport is to become the major shareholder in Finnair's provider of regional air services, Norra.
At long last, Finnair thus seems to have finally found a stable solution to its long-standing problem with the provider that has led a turbulent life with shifting ownership structures.
In October 2017, Finnair took ownership of all shares in Norra as a precondition for finding a future partnership model.
Norra is the successor of Flybe Nordic, set up as a JV between Finnair and FlyBe in November 2011 after buying the Finnish carrier Commuter Airlines.
The JV did not last long, however, and in May 2015 Finnair took over FlyBe's 60 percent of the stake in the JV, later re-selling this stake to Staffpoint Holding and Kilco.
-Recent years have shown that the partnership model can be successful in domestic and regional purchase traffic. Our aim is to find a new, industrial partner to develop Norra's business further with us, Jaakko Schildt Finnair COO, then told newstodate.
This industrial partner has thus now been found with DAT acquiring the 60 percent stake in Norra where Finnair retains the remaining 40 percent.
In the fleet of Norra are ATR-72 and 12 Embraer 190LR aircraft, while DAT also operates a fleet of ATR aircraft of various types, as well as Airbus and MD aircraft.
-We see great opportunities in a strategic partnership. We can strengthen our technical and operational knowledge, and the companies have the same size and both operate ATR aircraft, which gives operating and purchasing advantages, says Jesper Rungholm, DAT CEO and owner.
-With our knowledge on scheduled and charter flights, together with Norra's knowhow, we can develop the business together. And the new options with the Embraer 190 aircraft fit into our niche charter production, says Mr Rungholm.
At long last, Finnair thus seems to have finally found a stable solution to its long-standing problem with the provider that has led a turbulent life with shifting ownership structures.
In October 2017, Finnair took ownership of all shares in Norra as a precondition for finding a future partnership model.
Norra is the successor of Flybe Nordic, set up as a JV between Finnair and FlyBe in November 2011 after buying the Finnish carrier Commuter Airlines.
The JV did not last long, however, and in May 2015 Finnair took over FlyBe's 60 percent of the stake in the JV, later re-selling this stake to Staffpoint Holding and Kilco.
-Recent years have shown that the partnership model can be successful in domestic and regional purchase traffic. Our aim is to find a new, industrial partner to develop Norra's business further with us, Jaakko Schildt Finnair COO, then told newstodate.
This industrial partner has thus now been found with DAT acquiring the 60 percent stake in Norra where Finnair retains the remaining 40 percent.
In the fleet of Norra are ATR-72 and 12 Embraer 190LR aircraft, while DAT also operates a fleet of ATR aircraft of various types, as well as Airbus and MD aircraft.
-We see great opportunities in a strategic partnership. We can strengthen our technical and operational knowledge, and the companies have the same size and both operate ATR aircraft, which gives operating and purchasing advantages, says Jesper Rungholm, DAT CEO and owner.
-With our knowledge on scheduled and charter flights, together with Norra's knowhow, we can develop the business together. And the new options with the Embraer 190 aircraft fit into our niche charter production, says Mr Rungholm.