Tag Archives: ARN

Seven local airlines in Sweden to be united under a single brand in 2015

Sverigeflyg (Stockholm-Bromma) is the primary umbrella brand for seven local airlines (some virtual) which includes Blekingeflyg, Flysmaland, Golden Air, Gotlandsflyg, Kalmarflyg, Kullaflyg, and Sundsvallsflyg.

Braathens Regional (formerly Golden Air) holds the actual AOC and operates ATR 72-500s and SAAB 2000s under the Sverigeflyg brand. The group flies to Sundsvall in the north and Ängelholm/Helsingborg in the south of Sweden (see below).

Sverigeflyg Route Map:

Some of these marketing names do not operate any aircraft.

Braathens Regional, Malmö Aviation and Sverigeflyg are all part of the Braathens Aviation group of companies.

This group of airlines will unite in 2015 under a single new brand which has not yet been determined or announced.

The company issued this statement (translated from Swedish):

Now it’s time to take the next step, and together with its sister company, Malmö Aviation, we will challenge throughout Sweden as a domestic airline with a Bromma Airport hub.

Malmö Aviation (below) provides scheduled passenger services between Malmö, Gothenburg and Umeå to Bromma, the Stockholm City Airport.

Braathens Aviation is a corporate group owned by Braganza AS. Braganza is a privately held investment company based in Oslo and is owned by Per G. Braathen and his immediate family.

The group consists of Malmö Aviation, Sverigeflyg, Braathens Technical, Braathens IT Solutions, Braathens Training, Braathens Leasing and Braathens Regional.

Top Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com (all others images by the group). Operated in the past, Fokker F.27 Mk. 050 (Fokker 50) SE-LEC (msn 20112) of Skyways Express arrives in Stockholm (Arlanda) in Sverigeflyg colors.

Malmo Aviation aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Europe-2/Airlines-Europe-2/Malmö-Aviation

Bottom Copyright Photo: Robbie Shaw/AirlinersGallery.com. Malmo Aviation’s BAe RJ100 SE-DST (msn E3247) taxies at Glasgow.

Estonian Air’s loss for the first nine months widens to $7.9 million

Estonian Air (Talinn) reported a deepening loss of $7.9 million for first nine months of 2014 due to increased competition.

The company issued this full report:

The total revenue of Estonian Air was 52.2 million and loss 6.4 million euros ($7.9 million) in nine months. Last year the revenue was 55.4 million, and the loss 6 million euros ($7.4 million) in the same period.

“The results of the third quarter were below our earlier forecasts. Although we have increased the number of passengers, added flights to several existing routes and opened new destinations, at the same time the pressure on ticket prices has increased remarkably. Intensified competition on the aviation market and continuous unstable situation on our Eastern market has significant impact on our financial results,” commented Jan Palmér, the CEO of Estonian Air.

In the third quarter 2014, the revenue was 19.3 million and the net loss 1.4 million euros.

Within the third quarter Estonian Air carried altogether 161 000 passengers, out of which 152 000 on regular flights. In nine months Estonian Air carried 403 000 passengers which is 5 per cent less than the same period last year.

Estonian Air has increased its share on Tallinn based charter market. In addition, Estonian Air has signed charter agreements with several Estonian travel agencies to operate during the winter and summer flight period which will help the company to utilise the free capacity of the aircraft more efficiently.

The Council of Estonian Air approved the modified restructuring plan to be submitted to the European Commission by the end of October this year. Upon approval of the restructuring plan Infortar Group will invest into the company, which is anticipated in Spring 2015. The changes in the ownership structure must be approved beforehand by the Government of Estonia.

Estonian Air, Estonia’s national carrier, is the biggest operator at Tallinn Airport. The airline flies regular routes to Stockholm (Arlanda and Bromma), Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Brussels, Oslo, Moscow, Munich, St Petersburg, Kiev, Vilnius and Trondheim. In addition, from December 2014 to March 2015, Estonian Air will add seasonal flights to Munich and from April to November 2015 to Milan.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-100LR ES-AEA (msn 17000093) arrives in Stockholm (Arlanda).

Estonian Air aircraft slide show:

Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines announce their new routes for 2015

The Lufthansa Group (Frankfurt) has issued this report summarizing the new routes planned for 2015:

Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines will be expanding their flight program to attractive tourist destinations next year.

New in the flight timetable are Seville in southern Spain and the Greek island of Crete. Flights to the capital of Andalusia will leave from the Lufthansa hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. Lufthansa customers will be able to fly nonstop to Iceland from the two hubs for the first time. Bodrum (Turkey) and Cagliari (Sardinia/Italy) are two existing seasonal destinations that are now connected to Frankfurt for the first time. Next summer, Lufthansa will be serving Glasgow for the first time from Munich. There will also be additional flights on existing Spanish connections from Frankfurt to Málaga, Palma de Mallorca and Valencia as well as from Munich to Bodrum. All seasonal connections for summer 2015 can be booked from now on.

Austrian Airlines is commencing flight service from Vienna to Mauritius, adding the new destination to its winter 2015/16 flight schedule.

Further 16 seasonal routes will be added to the Lufthansa flight timetable for next summer. This means passengers will be able to count on the full service and dependability of a scheduled airline. Many tourist destinations will get additional flights during the summer holiday period. Passengers will be able to enjoy their “escape to the sun” in the comfortable Business Class as well as Economy Class. At Lufthansa, baggage allowance and catering are included in the fare. As with any Lufthansa flight, air miles can also be accrued and redeemed on these flights to holiday destinations.

The new connections in detail:

• For the first time in many years there will again be Lufthansa flights to the southern Spanish city of Seville, from Frankfurt and Munich. An Airbus A320 will take off three times a week from Frankfurt on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and from Munich to Andalusia on Sundays. After a flight time of just three hours, passengers will be able to wander through the historic old town with its labyrinth of narrow streets, discover the restaurants on picturesque city squares and visit imposing cathedrals and palaces. Seville is also an ideal starting point for visiting the numerous beach resorts on the Costa de la Luz. Lufthansa is offering this new destination from EUR 129. Seville will be served from Frankfurt and Munich, starting already at the beginning of the Easter holidays on 26 March 2015.

• Another new sunny destination is Heraklion on Crete, the largest Greek island. Every Saturday, Lufthansa will be flying to Crete in almost three hours from Munich with an Airbus A320. All the holiday resorts and hotels on the 260 km long and 60 km wide island can be reached quickly from there. Crete offers visitors more than 1,000 km of coastline, with countless coves and beaches. The flight to one of the sunniest islands in the Mediterranean can be booked from EUR 129.

• As of next summer, the two hubs in Frankfurt and Munich will be getting a Lufthansa connection to Iceland. Flights with an Airbus A319 to Keflavík Airport, which is 50 km from the capital of Reykjavík, will leave Frankfurt in the main travel season between May and September 2015 on Thursdays and Saturdays. An existing connection will also operate a flight on Saturdays from Munich, both non-stop and from EUR 249. The land of geysers and volcanoes has been growing in popularity for years, especially in the summer months. The natural splendors of this volcanic island include glaciers, hot springs and waterfalls. Riding holidays and other outdoor activities attract many travelers to the island in the North Atlantic.

• The popular Mediterranean beach resorts of Bodrum and Cagliari will also get connections to Frankfurt, in addition to the existing routes from Munich. Bodrum is situated directly on the Turkish Aegean and offers a wide range of opportunities for water sports enthusiasts and beach holidaymakers. From the middle of May, an Airbus A320 will be departing from Rhine-Main to supplement the connection from Munich, which will get an additional Saturday flight. Flights to Bodrum are available from as little as EUR 159. Lufthansa will also be connecting Cagliari, in the south of the Italian island of Sardinia, to Frankfurt with a Saturday flight in an Embraer 190 operated by Lufthansa CityLine. This supplements the existing flights on Saturdays and Sundays from Munich. One of the most popular holiday islands in the Mediterranean can be reached conveniently from EUR 129.

• Lufthansa is to connect Bavaria and Scotland for the first time. An Airbus A319 will leave the Bavarian capital on Saturdays for a direct flight of two hours and twenty minutes to Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland and the third-largest in the United Kingdom. The former industrial city now has a modern cultural scene, in addition to its reputation as an important university center. Glasgow is also an ideal starting point for trips to the Scottish highlands and the many islands off the west coast. A return flight from the River Isar to the River Clyde can be had from EUR 129.

• In the outlook for the winter flight schedule 2015/2016 Austrian Airlines is commencing flight service from Vienna to Mauritius, adding the new destination to its segment of leisure destinations. Starting on October 29, 2015, the airline will fly nonstop once a week from Vienna to Mauritius every Thursday on board of a Boeing 767. Passengers will reach the island in the Indian Ocean after a flight time of 10 hours and 40 minutes. Tickets are available starting from EUR 899 in Economy Class.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 D-AIZY (msn 5769) with Sharklets arrives in Stockholm (Arlanda).

Lufthansa aircraft slide show:

SAS today operates a biofuel (cooking oil) flight from Stockholm

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) issued this statement today:

SAS today (November 7) flew from Stockholm (Arlanda) to Östersund (flight SK 2064) with a 10 % blend in of a certified JET A1 based on re-used cooking oil. The fuel was distributed and delivered by Statoil Aviation and SkyNRG. The flight was also supported by Swedavia.

The synthetic JET A1 as well as the blended JET A1 is certified according to ASTM D7566 and D1655. This flight was not only the first of its kind for SAS but also the first flight from Arlanda Airport.

SAS has worked for over ten years to accelerate the commercialization of renewable fuels. Renewable fuels are crucial on the journey towards a more sustainable aviation. This type of flight proof that solutions exist and focus on creating conditions for this to become a reality on a large scale is essential.

During next week a flight is planned from Trondheim to Oslo in Norway on a 48% blend in of certified synthetic JET A1.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. The biofuel flight was operated with a Boeing 737-600. Boeing 737-683 SE-DNX (msn 28304) arrives at Stockholm (Arlanda).

SAS aircraft slide show:

Norwegian’s third quarter net profit drops by 14%, will phase out the last Boeing 737-300 next year

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com and Norwegian Long Haul) (Oslo) reported a net profit of NOK 373.8 million ($57.0 million) for the third quarter, down 14% from a net profit of NOK 435.9 million ($65.8 million) for the same quarter in 2013.

The airline issued this full report:

Norwegian reports strong growth in all European markets with a capacity increase of 36 percent and a load factor of 85 percent in its third quarter results. The pre-tax result (EBT) was 505 MNOK, compared to 604 MNOK the same quarter previous year. The costs associated with wet-leasing replacement aircraft and a weak Norwegian Krone (NOK) significantly affected the figures.

Even with strong passenger growth, the load factor was high and increased by three percentage points to 85 percent in the third quarter. Norwegian carried 7.1 million passengers this quarter and the company’s operations at London Gatwick had the strongest passenger growth.

The pre-tax result (EBT) was 505 MNOK, compared to 604 MNOK the same quarter previous year. The combination of a weak Norwegian Krone (NOK), the delayed approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation and costs associated with flight delays, affected the results this quarter. Wet-leasing replacement aircraft and extra fuel, as well as accommodation, food and drink for delayed passengers also created extra costs. The costs associated with the long overdue application before the U.S. Department of Transportation for a foreign air carrier permit for Norwegian’s Irish subsidiary, Norwegian Air International were also considerable. The application is in full accordance with the Open Skies Agreement between the EU and the U.S.

“We’re very satisfied that throughout our world-wide route network, an increasing number of new passengers choose Norwegian. Norwegian has recently received several international awards and was even named ‘Europe’s best low-cost airline’ the second year running. However, we have also experienced some turbulence this quarter. Our results are affected by additional costs related to the pending U.S. permit for our subsidiary in Dublin, consequently reducing our ability to optimize our fleet of aircraft. Even though technical difficulties with our Boeing 787 Dreamliners have also caused additional costs, our long-haul operation now consists of more aircraft and improved reliability. Looking into 2015, we will see a year of consolidation and lower growth. Next year, our fleet of short-haul aircraft will consist exclusively of Boeing 737-800s as older Boeing 737-300s will be phased out,” said CEO Bjørn Kjos.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Norwegian will retire its last Boeing 737-300 in 2015. Devoid of a tail photo, Boeing 737-31S LN-KHC (m,sn 29295) arrives in Stockholm (Arlanda).

Norwegian Aircraft Slide Show:

SAS introduces a new “We Are Travelers” advertising campaign

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) has introduced a new advertising campaign called “We Are Travelers”. The airline issued this statement and video:

SAS has launched a new marketing concept “We Are Travelers”. This concept reinforces the idea of travel as part of our way of life and it also
celebrates the joy and anticipation we feel before a flight.

“Travel is a way of life for many Scandinavians; we love to travel and we do it a lot. It is an important part of who we are. Here at SAS, we are very familiar with this lifestyle, because it is our way of life too,” says Stefan Hedelius, Vice President Brand & Marketing at SAS.

“We Are Travelers” is a long-term concept that reflects the fact that SAS is the obvious choice for frequent travelers in Scandinavia. The concept is based on a deep understanding of the positive emotions associated with flying and how we at SAS can enhance the joy of travel, as well as the fact that people who travel a lot have a greater need for smooth and efficient travel.

“Even those who travel frequently see flying as being so much more than just transportation. It is about taking a break from everyday life and about the anticipation of going somewhere, whether you are travelling on business or looking for new experiences on vacation. We travel to be part of the wider world, to feel important and needed, and to grow as human beings,” says Stefan Hedelius.

The insight into our way of life and the emotions attached to travel is the result of our extensive long-term efforts to listen to our frequent travelers in focus groups and through broader customer surveys. We want to make life easier
for frequent travelers in Scandinavia and the best way to do that is by listening to them.

Initial campaign presents travel profiles – of customers and employees

Using portraits of real customers and employees, SAS wants to show that there are many different kinds of travelers, but they all have something in common – they love to travel and they do so often.

Our new concept is being launched through a campaign – via SAS’s own channels, on TV, in print, online and outdoor advertising – in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The campaign starts with an emotional film that pays tribute to aviation and all of us who love to travel.

During the fall, SAS will be releasing several shorter films featuring SAS crew and customers, all chosen because they love to travel, they travel a lot and because they are interesting people.

Top Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by SAS). Scandinavian Airlines’ Airbus A320-232 OY-KAN (msn 2958) completes its final approach to the runway at the Stockholm (Arlanda) hub.

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS:

Video: SAS:

Norwegian Long haul to launch two new Boeing 787 routes to Orlando

Norwegian Long haul (Norwegian Air Shuttle) (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) continues to develop long-range operations and launching new routes from Copenhagen to Orlando, and between London Gatwick and Orlando. In addition, the company is also increasing frequencies on several existing destinations between Europe and the USA.

The new nonstop route to Orlando, Florida will be the fifth long distance flight from Copenhagen and the fourth from London Gatwick. Norwegian flies previously between Oslo and Orlando.

As previously reported, Norwegian started operations to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on May 29, 2014.

Norwegian will fly once a week (Mondays) from Copenhagen to Orlando, starting on March 30, 2015.

Norwegian will fly once a week (Saturdays) between London Gatwick and Orlando starting on April 4, 2015.

Norwegian is also increasing the number of flights between the following destinations: Stockholm – Oakland, increased from two to three flights a week, Oslo – Los Angeles extended from one to two times a week, London Gatwick – New York (JFK) expanded from three to six flights a week and London Gatwick – Los Angeles expanded from two to four times a week.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner EI-LND (msn 35310) with Norwegian marathon runner Grete Waitz departs from Stockholm (Arlanda).

Video: Flying on the Norwegian 787 from Stockholm to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood:

Norwegian:

AG:

Estonian Air is coming next summer to Milan

Estonian Air (Tallinn) will add Milan (Malpensa) and the Tallinn-Milan route on April 21, 2015. The new route will be flown twice-weekly with Bombardier CRJ900s.

In other news, Estonian Air reported in August 2014, it carried 53,554 passengers, an increase of 3% compared to the same month last year when Estonian Air carried 51,976 passengers. In August Estonian Air operated 935 flights, an increase of 6.4%.

In the first eight months Estonian Air carried altogether 368,263 passengers, a decrease of 2.6% compared to 2013. In the same period, Estonian Air operated 7163 flights, which is 2.8% less compared to the same period last year.

The 15-minute punctuality of Estonian Air flights in the first eight months was 92.7%, an increase of 2 percentage points compared to the same period last year. The regularity was 99.3%, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points compared to the same period last year. In August the punctuality was 90.2 and regularity 99.3 percentage.

Estonian Air is aiming to provide Estonia with reliable and regular double daily connections to destinations of strategic importance and of substantial demand. Being a small country on the edge of Europe, Estonia depends on such connections, and Estonian Air is committed to provide these services.

Estonian Air, Estonia’s national carrier, is the biggest operator at Tallinn Airport. The airline flies regular routes to Stockholm (Arlanda and Bromma), Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Brussels, Oslo, Moscow, Munich, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Vilnius and Trondheim. In addition, from May to September, Estonian Air flies to Nice and Split, from June to August to Paris and from June to the end of October to Berlin. From December 2014 to March 2015, Estonian Air will add seasonal flights to Munich and from April to November 2015 to Milan.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) ES-ACB (msn 15261) taxies at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport during the winter.

Estonian Air:

Promotional ad by Estonian Air for its new Milan destination:

SAS reports its third quarter income drops 44% to $69.5 million

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (SAS Group) (Stockholm) despite recent personnel cuts and cost saving measures reported its fiscal third quarter income (ending on July 31) dropped 44 percent to SEK (Swedish Krona) 496 million ($69.5 million).

The group blamed the decline on its challenging market conditions especially coming from Norwegian Air Shuttle. CEO Rickard Gustafson blamed Norwegian for flooding the market with more seats than the market can handle.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

In other news, on Wednesday September 10, SAS moved in to the new Queen’s Terminal at London’s Heathrow Airport. The Queen’s Terminal, or Terminal 2, is the new home of all Star Alliance airlines that fly to Heathrow – in total 23 members.

SAS operates 21 departures and 21 arrivals at the terminal to and from the Scandinavian capitals of Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen
and the regional cities Gothenburg and Stavanger. SAS flight SK 500 was the first SAS scheduled flight to operate from Terminal 2.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-883 LN-RPM (msn 30195) promoting the SAS Eurobonus program, approaches runway 01R at Stockholm (Arlanda).

SAS:

The DOT tells Norwegian it needs more time to reach a decision on Norwegian Air International

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Norwegian Long Haul) (Oslo) issued this statement (translated from Norwegian) concerning the delay by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in approving the controversial application of Norwegian Air International (NAI) based in Ireland:

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision to continue processing the application for the Norwegian EU-based subsidiary does not affect long-haul flights between Europe and the USA. Norwegian Air Shuttle has all rights to fly. The subsidiary Norwegian Air International (NAI) (Dublin) is still waiting for a permanent permit to fly.

The decision by the DOT means that it needs more time to process the application for a permanent permit to fly for NAI. The license will be the same as Norwegian already has in the parent company Norwegian Air Shuttle (Oslo). DOT has also not granted the application by NAI for a temporary permit to fly. Norwegian expects the American authorities, based on the Open Skies agreement between Europe and the USA , will approve the applications that have been considered too long. NAI is in every respect an EU company that got its Irish flight license in February 2014.

Norwegian flies today with Norwegian pilot’s license and has all air rights and is therefore not dependent on a temporary permit for the NAI subsidiary. NAI must have a permanent permit issued by American authorities to fly to the European-based flight certificate (AOC).

“It is unfortunate that American authorities are further delaying our application that have been considered for over six months. We look forward to answering any new questions that the ministry has so that we can get a permanent permit to fly without further delay”, says Asgeir Nyseth, CEO of NAI.

Both the European Commission and the Irish authorities support NAI’s rights to fly under the Open Skies Agreement. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also approved the application and confirmed that the NAI meets all the required safety requirements.

“Norwegian DOT expects to see through all the false accusations and the massive campaigns that have been waged to stop us, both among competitors and unions. Norwegian does exactly what the Obama administration wants; create new jobs and contribute to increased tourism and growth in the tourism industry” continues Nyseth.

Great support from the United States

Norwegian has received considerable political support in the United States, including the three previous transport ministers from both the Democratic and Republican side, as well as local authorities and airports. In addition, tourist organizations, the US Travel Association and the Travel Technology Association have shown great support.

Norwegian started the long haul division in 2013 with new, fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The company now has three long-haul bases; in New York, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Bangkok. The fourth base is now established at London Gatwick. 300 American cabin crews are based in the United States.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Norwegian Long Haul’s Boeing 787-8 EI-LNF (msn 35313) lands at Stockholm (Arlanda).

Norwegian Aircraft Slide Show: CLICK HERE