Viking Airlines 'suspends operations' but vows to return next summer
Friday, October 15, 2010
Chris Gray
Viking Airlines AB has suspended operations but vowed to return to the UK market next summer.
The Swedish airline said tonight it had “temporarily ceased operations” and job losses were “inevitable” but it was planning to “reorganise and restructure” over the next three months.
The aircraft in its fleet, three leased Boeing 737-800s and a single Boeing 737-300, have been returned to their owners.
The airline, which provided airlift for many independent UK tour operators, said no customers had been or would be left stranded.
The statement from Viking came after days of speculation about the future of the airline, which TTG revealed last week has approached several agencies and tour operators about making investments.
It said: “As part of a plan to downsize the Swedish airline Viking AB for the winter season, three leased Boeing 737-800s and a single Boeing 737-300 have been returned to their respective lessors.
“As a result, this week, the airline has temporarily ceased operations, but all contracted flying is covered for the remaining season. Importantly, no-one has been or will be stranded.
“Whilst job losses are, unfortunately inevitable in the UK, the intention is to take the next three months to reorganise and restructure Viking AB, so as to be in a position to add new aircraft for the summer 2011 season."
Many of Viking’s customers were provided by Kiss Flights, which went into administration this summer, and speculation about its future has continued since then.
In August, Viking said it was cutting the size of its fleet by three aircraft and making job losses, but insisted it was financially healthy and UK operations would continue as normal.
It stressed then that most of its operations were in central and eastern Europe and the Middle East.
The Greek arm of the company, Viking Hellas Aviation, which operates two leased Airbus A320s and a single owned McDonnell Douglas MD-83, is believed to be continuing to operate as normal.
One of Viking’s backers was Black Pearl Investments, the investment vehicle linked to former XL Leisure Group chief executive Phil Wyatt.
(TTG UK)
Friday, October 15, 2010
Chris Gray
Viking Airlines AB has suspended operations but vowed to return to the UK market next summer.
The Swedish airline said tonight it had “temporarily ceased operations” and job losses were “inevitable” but it was planning to “reorganise and restructure” over the next three months.
The aircraft in its fleet, three leased Boeing 737-800s and a single Boeing 737-300, have been returned to their owners.
The airline, which provided airlift for many independent UK tour operators, said no customers had been or would be left stranded.
The statement from Viking came after days of speculation about the future of the airline, which TTG revealed last week has approached several agencies and tour operators about making investments.
It said: “As part of a plan to downsize the Swedish airline Viking AB for the winter season, three leased Boeing 737-800s and a single Boeing 737-300 have been returned to their respective lessors.
“As a result, this week, the airline has temporarily ceased operations, but all contracted flying is covered for the remaining season. Importantly, no-one has been or will be stranded.
“Whilst job losses are, unfortunately inevitable in the UK, the intention is to take the next three months to reorganise and restructure Viking AB, so as to be in a position to add new aircraft for the summer 2011 season."
Many of Viking’s customers were provided by Kiss Flights, which went into administration this summer, and speculation about its future has continued since then.
In August, Viking said it was cutting the size of its fleet by three aircraft and making job losses, but insisted it was financially healthy and UK operations would continue as normal.
It stressed then that most of its operations were in central and eastern Europe and the Middle East.
The Greek arm of the company, Viking Hellas Aviation, which operates two leased Airbus A320s and a single owned McDonnell Douglas MD-83, is believed to be continuing to operate as normal.
One of Viking’s backers was Black Pearl Investments, the investment vehicle linked to former XL Leisure Group chief executive Phil Wyatt.
(TTG UK)