newstodate.aero

Jan 31, 2020 (newstodate): Iceland's aviation business experienced a hard year in 2019, with the demise of WOW Air and other European airline bankruptcies.
   The Icelandic handling company Airport Associates was indeed among those companies that felt the negative developments during the year.
   -Especially the bankruptcy of WOW Air, our single largest customer, took a deep hit on us, says Sigthor Skulason, Airport Associates CEO.
   -The year was marked by a sustained scaling-down of our activities, alongside efforts to fine-tuning our operations and taking leave of many of our employees. 2019 was indeed a tough year.
   -Looking into prospects for 2020, it seems that all airlines that operated seasonal services to Keflavik in summer 2019 are returning again in summer 2020, and this is of course a positive sign.
   -On the other hand, we see few new airlines announcing flights to Iceland, with the Chinese carrier Juneyao Airlines as the so far only exception. If they do start services between Helsinki and Keflavik from March 29, 2020, as earlier announced, we will provide them with handling services at Keflavik Airport.
   -On the cargo side, the situation is slowly recovering after the demise of WOW Air that lifted much cargo on wide-body flights. Norwegian is carrying significant loads of seafood exports, and cargo is also generated on the seasonal services by American Airlines and Air Canada.  
   -DHL is also a most important cargo customer with Airport Associates, with a daily flight operated by Bluebird Nordic, in addition to one daily Bluebird Nordic flight on the carrier's own designation.
   -With a decimated work force at some 250 staff we are now prepared for new year that will hopefully bring more good news with it, says Mr Skulason.