Starting on March 16, 2021 Icelandair and Air Iceland Connect, Icelandair Group’s domestic airline operations, will be integrated into one network with all sales and marketing efforts operating under the Icelandair brand.
The integration of Icelandair and Air Iceland Connect will strengthen and simplify the company’s operations while ensuring a sustainable future for domestic services as well as the West Nordic region.
One strong brand, a simplified booking process and unified distribution systems will allow Icelandair to offer a comprehensive range of products and services to all destinations – domestic and international – in one place, with one search, on one ticket.
Icelandair’s domestic destinations include Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Ísafjörður, and Vestmannaeyjar. Air Iceland Connect and Norlandair have collaborated on flights to several additional destinations in Iceland, such as Bíldudalur and Gjögur from Reykjavík airport, and Grímsey, Vopnafjörður and Þórshöfn from Akureyri airport.
Icelandair is not planning any changes at this time for passengers traveling from Reykjavik or Akureyri. However, new products and services are in development and will be introduced later this spring (2021).
Photos: Air Iceland Connect.
Bogi Nils Bogason, CEO of Icelandair
“The integration of Icelandair and Air Iceland Connect is an important step that will create a stronger and more streamlined airline with more options and improved customer service. Domestic flights are crucial for Icelanders and with this step we can further strengthen our current network for all passengers with more accessibility and more competitive fares.
This is, however, a complex project with many integral details. That’s why we put great emphasis on clear communication with customers and open dialogue with key stakeholders about how we will ensure the development of domestic flights with the value and experience of our customers in mind.
As our domestic flights become more visible through Icelandair’s booking engines, we hope to open more of Iceland to the world with easy connections to our network in Europe and North America while increasing the number of tourist within our domestic operations.”
Air Iceland Connect (Reykjavik), according to The Reykjavik Grapevine, is dropping its domestic route from Keflavik to Akureyri in Iceland, as well as its international routes to Aberdeen in Scotland and Belfast in Northern Ireland.
The routes from Keflavik were designed to connect with the trans-Atlantic routes that operate in and out of Keflavik. According to the carrier, these routes which started in 2017 had not met their expectations.
The company is also expected to trim its fleet, likely to be some of the pictured Bombardier Q400s.
Aeropostal (Alas de Venezuela) – The long-time airline of Venezuela ceased all operations on September 24, 2017 due to the on-going financial situation in the country.
Above Copyright Photo: Aeropostal (Venezuela) McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 YV137T (msn 47771) CCS (Orlando Jose Suarez). Image: 905671.
Air Carnival – The short-lived Indian carrier shut its doors and ceased operations with its single ATR 72-500 on April 5, 2017.
Air Costa – The Indian airline suspended operations on February 28, 2017.
Photo Above: Air Costa.
Air India Regional – Reverted back to its original name of Alliance Air in March 2017. The airline continues operations under the Alliance Air (Air India) brand.
Above Copyright Photo: Air India Regional ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-600) F-WWEZ (VT-AIT) (msn 1226) TLS (Olivier Gregoire). Image: (26253.
Airberlin (Air Berlin) – AB filed for insolvency on August 15, 2017 and ceased all operations on October 27, 2017 after Etihad Airways announced it would no longer financially support the carrier. AB was the second largest scheduled passenger airline in Germany.
Eastern Air Lines (2nd) – The second version using the famous name had its AOC cancelled. The last revenue flight was operated on September 14, 2017 although one Boeing 737-800 (N277EA) operated by Swift Air still carries Eastern titles.
Above Copyright Photo: Eastern Air Lines (2nd) Boeing 737-8AL WL N276EA (msn 35070) MIA (Jay Selman). Image: 403415.
Etihad Regional (Darwin Airline) – Became Adria Swizterland in July 2017 when Etihad Airways withdrew its financial support.
Florida West International Airways (2nd) – The AOC was cancelled. Operations ended on February 28, 2017 as parent Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings decided to consolidate operations under the ATI banner.
Above Copyright Photo: Florida West International Airways (2nd) Boeing 767-346F ER N422LA (msn 35818) MIA (Brian McDonough). Image: 905972.
Flugfelag Islands – Air Iceland – Became Air Iceland Connect on May 24, 2017 (name change).
Flybe (Loganair) – The two airlines cancelled their agreement and Loganair reverted back to its own Loganair brand on August 31, 2017. On September 1, 2017 Loganair signed a code share agreement with British Airways.
InselAir (Aruba) – InselAir Aruba was declared bankrupt on July 7, 2017 after ceasing operations on June 7, 2017. However InselAir (Curacao) reorganized and downsized and continues to operate in the ABC Islands.
Above Copyright Photo: InselAir (Aruba) McDonnell Douglas DC-9-83 (MD-83) P4-MDI (msn 49847) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 104316.
Island Air – The long-time inter-island airline in Hawaii shut down operations on November 10, 2017. The assets are being sold to Hawaiian Airlines for its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian division.
Above Copyright Photo: Island Air (Hawaii) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N682WP (msn 4546) HNL (Ivan K. Nishimura). Image: 939613.
Kan Air – The regional carrier in Thailand suspended operations on April 21, 2017.
Photo Above: Kan Air.
LGW (Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter) (Airberlin) – As part of the Airberlin Group, LGW also ceased operations on October 27, 2017. However it has now been purchased by the Lufthansa Group and will continue to operate as a company under the Eurowings brand.
Niki Luftfahrt (flyniki) – As part of the Airberlin Group, the Austrian carrier suspended operations on December 13, 2017. However the airline has been acquired by the IAG and will be operating again under Vueling.
VIM Airlines (VIM Avia) – Suspended all operations on October 15, 2017. The AOC was cancelled on November 4, 2017.
Above Copyright Photo: VIM Airlines (VIM Avia) Boeing 777-2H6 ER VP-BVA (msn 28413) DME (OSDU). Image: 933003.
Welcome Air – The last revenue flight was operated on December 26, 2017.
Above Copyright Photo: Welcome Air Dornier 328-110 OE-GBB (msn 3078) CFU (Antony J. Best). Image: 928724.
Yangtze River Express – Became Suparna Airlines on July 7, 2017 (name change).
Above Copyright Photo: Yangtze River Express Boeing 747-481 (BCF) B-2432 (msn 28283) ANC (Michael B. Ing). Image: 928002.
Yemenia (Yemen Airways) – The flag carrier of war-weary Yemen suspended operations on November 6, 2017 due to the on-going civil war and military air strikes. The carrier hopes to operate some flights in the future, war conditions permitting.
Above Copyright Photo: Yemenia (Yemen Airways) Airbus A330-243 7O-ADT (msn 632) FRA (Pascal Simon). Image: 904599.
Air Iceland, as of May 24, 2017, has a new name: Air Iceland Connect.
The airline continued;
There are a number of reasons for the new name, including our increased activity in foreign markets, a significant increase in foreign tourists, increased co-operation with Icelandair and to simplify marketing, as the company’s dual name system has meant a significant increase in costs and has caused some passengers inconvenience and led to misunderstandings.
“We have used the name Air Iceland for years, but by adding the word Connect, we are showing our connection to Icelandic nature and destinations, connecting with our foreign destinations such as Greenland, Scotland and Northern Ireland and distinguishing ourselves slightly from Icelandair. This is a global, descriptive name, and we are convinced that it will create a strong airline brand in the international aviation market,” says Árni Gunnarsson, Managing Director of Air Iceland Connect.
“The company has been working on these changes for some time, renewing the fleet, increasing co-operation with Icelandair, receiving more and more foreign tourists and defining our market policy even better. It is the next logical step to do away with this dual naming system and introduce one descriptive and global brand,” says Árni.
The name change will, of course, take some time, and the domain www.flugfelag.is will remain active but will forward the user to the company website at www.airicelandconnect.com
In addition to a complete renewal of Air Iceland Connect’s fleet, in which Fokker airplanes were replaced by new and better Bombardier Q400 and Q200 airplanes, the company has in the last few months scheduled flights between Akureyri and Keflavík, increased flights to Greenland and Scotland and from 1 June, a new destination will be added, Belfast in Northern Ireland.
