newstodate.aero

May 04, 2022 (newstodate): The entry of a new Icelandic carrier with a focus on traffic between Akureyri and European destinations has caught the eyes of Icelandair.
   At a recent event, Icelandair aired plans to set up daily traffic between Keflavik and Akureyri, obviously in an effort to secure its existing foothold as the key entry point for incoming tourism to Iceland.
   Niceair is however little frightened..
   -I see little credence in this idea.  If they succeed, then it is good news for everybody. They have tried this service two times before over a period of three years  - at shattering losses to the firm, says Thorvaldur Ludvik Sigurjonsson, Niceair CEO.
   - It is unclear whether some material variables have changed in their operational model, but among the problems with the operation was unclarity regarding how far in advance the service would be run and also, passengers flying with other carriers in and out of Keflavik could not book the Akureyri flights. They specifically stated now that the service will not be available to other passengers than those of Icelandair.
   -If they succeed in this, then all the more for everybody; but as at this point, it is entirely unclear at what time in the future the service will commence, says Mr Sigurjonsson in a comment to newstodate.
   -On other notes, we have had a tremendous start to the operation, although we will not have our inaugural flight until June 2, 2022.   Booking numbers looking strong and fills us with optimism towards the future, he adds.
   The program will open with two weekly rotations between Akureyri and Copenhagen on June 2, 2022, followed by the launch of flights to London Stansted on June 3, 2022, also with two weekly rotations, rounding off with the first flight to Tenerife South from June 8, 2022, offering one weekly rotation.
   Flights will be provided by its partner, the Portuguese ACMI and charter carrier HiFly allocating one of its two Airbus A319 aircraft to serve on Niceair's route network