Tag Archives: 29434

Icelandair is facing another series of strikes, this time by its mechanics, introduces a new safety video

Icelandair (Keflavik) which is currently in extended negotiations with its pilots for a new contract, is now facing a series of strikes by its mechanics, represented by the Icelandic Aircraft Mechanics Association (FVFI). The union has called for a strike against the company on June 16 and June 19 according to the Wall Street Journal. The company does not have a new contract for this union.

In other news, Icelandair recently premiered their new in-flight safety video (see below). Instead of falling in line with convention, they decided to take the opportunity to produce a film that not only underlines the importance of safety, but that also engages passengers with a sense of curiosity and Icelandic beauty. Indeed, being safe has rarely looked so beautiful.

Inspired by Iceland itself, the new safety video includes Iceland’s nature as the stunning backdrop to the traditional and important safety message presented to all passengers. For example, emergency lighting takes on a new, non-threatening identity when compared to the northern lights, and assuming the brace position becomes a calm and collected maneuver when waking up after a long relaxing slumber by the lulling shores of a lake.

The safety video was written and produced by Islenska Ad Agency and directed by Pegasus. Showcasing Iceland’s hot spots of nature and beauty, filming took place on location around Iceland, including Jokulsarlon, Thkgil canyon, Fjadrargljufur gorge, Thorsmork National Park and Eyjafjoll, close to Eyjafjallajokull.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 757-308 TF-FIX (msn 29434) completes its final approach to the runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.

Icelandair:

Icelandair remains in the red with a 1Q net loss of $18.3 million

Icelandair Group (Icelandair) (Keflavik) reported a net loss of $18.3 million in the first quarter, an increase from a net loss of $13.2 million in the same quarter a year ago.

The airline issued this statement:

Icelandair Group organic growth continues

Losses after taxes USD $18.3 million, as compared to USD $13.2 million in the preceding year
Performance in the quarter exceeded management projections
EBITDA negative by USD $8.3 million, as compared to negative USD $3.0 million last year
Passenger revenues increased by 24% between years
Total revenue increased by 10%
Equity ratio was 32% at the end of March
Net cash provided by operating activities USD 78.5 million, as compared to USD 86.1 million in the preceding year

Björgólfur Jóhannsson, President and CEO:

“Icelandair Group’s performance over the quarter was better than our budget projected and estimates of continued growth materialized. Capacity on international flights increased by just short of a quarter in the first three months of the year, and the increase in passenger numbers over the same period was 18%. The greatest increase was in the number of passengers on the North Atlantic market, about 40%. The number of passengers in the tourist market to Iceland also increased significantly from last year, with a positive impact for all tourist services in Iceland. The Group’s freight activities have shown a turnaround. Freight charter projects have been downsized systematically, and the focus has been shifted to scheduled air freight services, which has returned good results.

At the start of the year we issued an EBITDA forecast for 2013 in the range of USD 115-120 million. The performance in the first quarter was in excess of the forecast, and in addition operating prospects are generally positive. Based on adjusted assumptions, EBITDA for the year is now projected at USD 122-127 million.”

Icelandair:

Route Map:

Icelandair to fly year-round from Toronto

Icelandair (Keflavik) has announced year-round service from Canada with the return of flights from Toronto (Pearson) this spring.

Icelandair will resume operations from Pearson International Airport on March 8, 2013 with four flights per week to Keflavik (near Reykjavik).

Toronto will become Icelandair’s fifth year-round North American gateway. The Toronto flights are part of a 2013 route expansion that will be the largest in Icelandair’s 76-year history. The ambitious growth plan includes a new North American gateway, Anchorage and the addition of two new European destinations, St. Petersburg, Russia and Zurich.

Icelandair operates year-round service to Iceland and more than 20 European destinations from Boston, Denver, New York (JFK), Seattle/Tacoma and now Toronto (Pearson). In addition, Icelandair offers seasonal service from Halifax, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Sanford (near Orlando) and Washington (Dulles). Only Icelandair allows passengers to stopover in Iceland for up to seven nights at no additional airfare.

Route Map:

Please click on the map for the full-size view.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography. Boeing 757-308 TF-FIX (msn 29434) approaches Toronto (Pearson) for landing. Icelandair is replacing its aging Boeing 757 fleet with 12 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9 aircraft with purchase rights for additional 12 aircraft. The first delivery to Icelandair is scheduled for the first half of 2018.

Icelandair:

Icelandair to expand to Anchorage, St. Petersburg (Russia) and Zurich

Icelandair (Keflavik) has announced its newest gateway from North America: Anchorage, Alaska along with two new destinations in Europe, St. Petersburg, Russia and Zurich, Switzerland.

Flights to Anchorage will begin on May 15, 2013 with nonstop seasonal service between Iceland and Anchorage twice a week through mid-September 2013. From its hub in Keflavik near Reykjavik, Icelandair offers nonstop connections to more than 20 destinations in Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.

Icelandair will also include more destinations to Europe with four flights a week to Zurich and two flights a week to St. Petersburg, Russia.

Icelandair flights to St. Petersburg will begin on June 1, 2013 with nonstop flights from Iceland twice a week through September 17, 2013. Flights to Zurich, Switzerland will begin on June 1, 2013 with nonstop flights from Iceland twice a week through September 14, 2013.

Icelandair Slide Show: