Blue Wings, a Dusseldorf-based scheduled and charter carrier that suspended operations on April 1 after the authorities revoked its operating license, plans to re-launch full service Friday.
"The reason that LBA revoked our license was that our main client, Oeger Tours, cancelled all booked flights for the coming season," a source from the QW sales team told ATWOnline in Dusseldorf (ATWOnline, April 1). Oeger, a German/Turkish tour operator, had been one of the carrier's main clients and the cancellation meant it was unable to present up-to-date economic data on its remaining schedule in a manner that would satisfy the civil aviation authority. It had been operating on a temporary certificate issued in January. The source said the carrier expects LBA to clear it for operations following submission of new data today.
Blue Wings also recently received €35 million ($47.2 million) in financing, although the source did not reveal the origin. "Since we have said that we plan to operate again, we have received a lot of orders from tour operators, like TUI, to fly charter routes. Our capacity is nearly sold out," the source said, adding that the end result of the licensing ordeal is a positive one as now Blue Wings can focus on a variety of tour operators instead of counting on just one for a majority of its business.
"We don't know how high the financial loss will be," the source said of the grounding. German media has reported it will reach €300,000 per day. The carrier intends to follow through with its order for 20 A320s, with some down payments already having been made.
by Kurt Hofmann
ATW, April 8 2009
