Air Atlanta Icelandic
Encyclopedia
Air Atlanta Icelandic is a charter
and cargo airline
based in Kópavogur
, Iceland
. It specialises in leasing aircraft on an ACMI (Aircraft, Crews, Maintenance, Insurance)/wet lease
basis to airlines worldwide needing extra passenger and cargo capacity. It also operates charter services for Icelandic tour operators. In mid 2007 the airline decided to shift its focus to air cargo operations. Its main base is Keflavík International Airport
.
to Barbados
flights. In 1988, the airline leased planes for Air Afrique
to be used during the hajj
pilmigrage trips. This would become an important part of the structure of Air Atlanta later on. Sudan Airways
and Lufthansa
were among the other airlines that benefited from leasing passenger airplanes from Air Atlanta Icelandic during the late 1980s, as well as Finnair
, which leased a Boeing 737
from the Icelandic company
It was in 1992 that Air Atlanta Icelandic was able to take passengers to the sky with their own airline operation. Their first flight was with a Lockheed L-1011
plane. Later in 1992, Air Atlanta Icelandic participated in the United Nations
peacekeepers airlifting, flying the UN representants from former Yugoslavia
to Nigeria
and France
.
In 1993, the Boeing 747
arrived, and Saudi Arabian Airlines
became one of the first airlines to lease that plane from Air Atlanta Icelandic, also for hajj flights. And, after signing a contract with Samvinn Travel, Air Atlanta Icelandic began operating domestic charter flights too. Later, in 1993, a flight from Phnom Penh
to Bangkok
was launched, using a Boeing 737.
By 1994, Air Atlanta Icelandic had obtained rights to operate service from many other international countries, including the United States
, from where they had a flight to Colombia
, and the Philippines
, where they were allowed to operate domestic charter flights. About that time, they began to offer flights within Europe for free and began service to Portugal
.
In 1996 a couple rented an Air Atlanta Icelandic L-1011 to have a sky-wedding. The couple and their wedding guests were treated to a flight over the Arctic Circle, while the wedding was performed inside the jet.
1997 saw the arrival of contracts with such airlines as Britannia Airways
and Iberia
, which would use an Air Atlanta Icelandic plane for its routes from Barajas International Airport in Madrid
to José Martí International Airport
in Havana
and to other points in the Caribbean
. That year also saw the arrival of the airline's first Boeing 747SP plane, which would later be utilized by government officials, sports teams and The Rolling Stones
, among others.
In 1998, Air Atlanta Icelandic leased planes for British Airways
, and in 1999 Magnus G. Thorstenn was named the company's new CEO. In 1999 also, the airline became a fully wide bodied airplane airline, when they sold the last of their Boeing 737's. In year 2000, Air India
joined the growing list of other airlines that have leased airplanes from Air Atlanta Icelandic airlines.
Air Atlanta Icelandic still leases their jets to a number of airlines, while providing their own airline flights, taking passengers to such places as Puerto Rico
, Kenya
, Cuba
, Barcelona
and the rest of Europe on charter flights.
In 2003 Air Atlanta Icelandic expanded into the United Kingdom
with their subsidiary, Air Atlanta Europe
who operated Boeing 747
's ad-hoc, charter and for the Florida tour operator, Travel City Direct.
In March 2004 the company acquired a 40.5% stake in the UK charter airline Excel Airways
, later increased to 76.9%. In January 2005 the Avion Group was formed and Air Atlanta Icelandic and Islandflug merged under the Air Atlanta Icelandic brand name.
In 2005 The Avion Group acquired Eimskip, a leading Icelandic sea transportation company and a UK holiday company, Travel City Direct. In 2006 The Avion Group announced the purchase of the entire issued share capital of French charter airline Star Airlines
, the second largest charter airline in the French market. Star Airlines operates charter flights mainly to destinations in Africa, The Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Star Airlines operates scheduled flights, in addition to charter services to the Lebanon, Mali and Mexico.
In June 2006, Air Atlanta Icelandic wet-leased one B747-200 to Yangtze River Express
to operate cargo freight between Shanghai - Anchorage - Los Angeles.
In October 2006 the Avion Group changed its name to HF Eimskipafélag Íslands
and at the same time sold UK Leisure Group Excel, as well as 51% of Avion Aircraft Trading. A decision was also made to merge both Excel Airways and Air Atlanta Europe into one airline. This was completed by October 2006.
In mid 2007 the airline decided to shift its focus to Air Cargo operations. The airline is planning to move to freighter
aircraft and has laid off most of their passenger aircraft aircrew
.
On 25 March 2008, an Air Atlanta Icelandic B747-300 was destroyed after engine number 3 caught fire soon after landing.
Britflights cancelled plans to operate flights from the UK to Canada from June 2011, citing fuel uncertainties.
Air Atlanta Icelandic is operating two 747-400's for National Airlines (N8). One flies cargo charter flights, the other one is wet leased to Cargolux.
Canada extra contract has been cancelled as the UK caa regulations were not met by the canada extra operator.
Air Atlanta will not be operating this contract.
Britflights had intended to utilise Air Atlanta aircraft for the 2011 season, but suspended their intended operations, their website citing rising uncertainties created by rising fuel prices.
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
and cargo airline
Cargo airline
Cargo airlines are airlines dedicated to the transport of cargo. Some cargo airlines are divisions or subsidiaries of larger passenger airlines.-Logistics:...
based in Kópavogur
Kópavogur
Kópavogur is a city and Iceland's second largest municipality, with a population of 30,779.It lies immediately south of Reykjavík and is part of the Greater Reykjavík Area. The name literally means seal pup bay...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. It specialises in leasing aircraft on an ACMI (Aircraft, Crews, Maintenance, Insurance)/wet lease
Wet lease
Aircraft leases are a number of types of leases used by airlines and other aircraft operators. Airlines lease aircraft from other airlines or leasing companies for two main reasons; to operate aircraft without the financial burden of buying them, and to provide temporary increase in capacity...
basis to airlines worldwide needing extra passenger and cargo capacity. It also operates charter services for Icelandic tour operators. In mid 2007 the airline decided to shift its focus to air cargo operations. Its main base is Keflavík International Airport
Keflavík International Airport
-Cargo airlines:-Ground transport:Transport between the airport and Reykjavik city is by road only. The distance is 50 km. A new fast freeway was opened 2008. The buses have a timetable adapted to the flight schedule. They go to and from the Reykjavik bus terminal, taking around 45 minutes...
.
History
The airline was established on 10 February 1986 by Captain Arngrimur Johannsson and his wife, Thora Gudmundsdottir. It started operations in 1986. Their first contract came when Caribbean Airways wet-leased a Boeing 707-320 from them for their LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
flights. In 1988, the airline leased planes for Air Afrique
Air Afrique
Air Afrique was a Pan-African airline, that was mainly owned by many West African countries for most of its history. It was established as the official transnational carrier for francophone West and Central Africa, because many of these countries did not have the capability to create and maintain a...
to be used during the hajj
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
pilmigrage trips. This would become an important part of the structure of Air Atlanta later on. Sudan Airways
Sudan Airways
Sudan Airways is the national airline of Sudan, headquartered in Khartoum. The airline operates under the IATA airline designator SD and the ICAO airline designator SUD, while its callsign is SUDANAIR....
and Lufthansa
Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...
were among the other airlines that benefited from leasing passenger airplanes from Air Atlanta Icelandic during the late 1980s, as well as Finnair
Finnair
Finnair Plc is the flag carrier and largest airline of Finland, with its headquarters on the grounds of Helsinki Airport in Vantaa, Finland, and its main hub at Helsinki Airport. Finnair and its subsidiaries dominate both the domestic and international air travel markets in Finland. The largest...
, which leased a Boeing 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
from the Icelandic company
It was in 1992 that Air Atlanta Icelandic was able to take passengers to the sky with their own airline operation. Their first flight was with a Lockheed L-1011
Lockheed L-1011
The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, commonly referred to as the L-1011 or TriStar, is a medium-to-long range, widebody passenger trijet airliner. It was the third widebody airliner to enter commercial operations, following the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. Between 1968 and 1984, Lockheed...
plane. Later in 1992, Air Atlanta Icelandic participated in the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
peacekeepers airlifting, flying the UN representants from former Yugoslavia
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
to Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
In 1993, the Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
arrived, and Saudi Arabian Airlines
Saudi Arabian Airlines
Saudi Arabian Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Saudi Arabia, based in Jeddah. It operates domestic and international scheduled flights to over 90 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America...
became one of the first airlines to lease that plane from Air Atlanta Icelandic, also for hajj flights. And, after signing a contract with Samvinn Travel, Air Atlanta Icelandic began operating domestic charter flights too. Later, in 1993, a flight from Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security,...
to Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
was launched, using a Boeing 737.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, from where they had a flight to Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, where they were allowed to operate domestic charter flights. About that time, they began to offer flights within Europe for free and began service to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
.
In 1996 a couple rented an Air Atlanta Icelandic L-1011 to have a sky-wedding. The couple and their wedding guests were treated to a flight over the Arctic Circle, while the wedding was performed inside the jet.
1997 saw the arrival of contracts with such airlines as Britannia Airways
Britannia Airways
Britannia Airways was the largest charter airline in the United Kingdom, rebranded as Thomsonfly in 2005. Its main bases were Gatwick, London Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow...
and Iberia
Iberia Airlines
Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España, S.A., commonly known as Iberia, is the flag carrier airline of Spain. Based in Madrid, it operates an international network of services from its main bases of Madrid-Barajas Airport and Barcelona El Prat Airport....
, which would use an Air Atlanta Icelandic plane for its routes from Barajas International Airport in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
to José Martí International Airport
José Martí International Airport
José Martí International Airport , sometimes known by its former name Rancho-Boyeros Airport, is located southwest of Havana, Cuba, and is a hub for Cubana de Aviación, Aerogaviota and Aero Caribbean, and former Latin American hub for Aeroflot Soviet Airlines...
in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
and to other points in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. That year also saw the arrival of the airline's first Boeing 747SP plane, which would later be utilized by government officials, sports teams and The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, among others.
In 1998, Air Atlanta Icelandic leased planes for British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
, and in 1999 Magnus G. Thorstenn was named the company's new CEO. In 1999 also, the airline became a fully wide bodied airplane airline, when they sold the last of their Boeing 737's. In year 2000, Air India
Air India
Air India is the flag carrier airline of India. It is part of the government of India owned Air India Limited . The airline operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft serving Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. Its corporate office is located at the Air India Building at Nariman...
joined the growing list of other airlines that have leased airplanes from Air Atlanta Icelandic airlines.
Air Atlanta Icelandic still leases their jets to a number of airlines, while providing their own airline flights, taking passengers to such places as Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
and the rest of Europe on charter flights.
In 2003 Air Atlanta Icelandic expanded into the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
with their subsidiary, Air Atlanta Europe
Air Atlanta Europe
Air Atlanta Europe was an airline based at London Gatwick Airport, United Kingdom. It provided long term wet-lease contract flights for Excel Airways , Virgin Atlantic and others, as well as ad hoc flights tailored to customer requirements.On 1 May 2006, Air Atlanta Europe was absorbed into Excel...
who operated Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
's ad-hoc, charter and for the Florida tour operator, Travel City Direct.
In March 2004 the company acquired a 40.5% stake in the UK charter airline Excel Airways
Excel Airways
XL Airways was a British low-cost charter and scheduled airline, which ceased operations when it went into administration on 12 September 2008. Its headquarters were in Crawley, West Sussex, near London Gatwick Airport. It was part of the XL Leisure Group. XL Airways is a trading name for XL...
, later increased to 76.9%. In January 2005 the Avion Group was formed and Air Atlanta Icelandic and Islandflug merged under the Air Atlanta Icelandic brand name.
In 2005 The Avion Group acquired Eimskip, a leading Icelandic sea transportation company and a UK holiday company, Travel City Direct. In 2006 The Avion Group announced the purchase of the entire issued share capital of French charter airline Star Airlines
Star Airlines
XL Airways France is a French airline with its head offices on the grounds of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport and in Tremblay-en-France. It operates scheduled flights mainly to long-haul destinations in Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean as well as charter flights to medium-haul destinations...
, the second largest charter airline in the French market. Star Airlines operates charter flights mainly to destinations in Africa, The Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Star Airlines operates scheduled flights, in addition to charter services to the Lebanon, Mali and Mexico.
In June 2006, Air Atlanta Icelandic wet-leased one B747-200 to Yangtze River Express
Yangtze River Express
Yangtze River Express is a cargo airline based in the People's Republic of China.-History:...
to operate cargo freight between Shanghai - Anchorage - Los Angeles.
In October 2006 the Avion Group changed its name to HF Eimskipafélag Íslands
Eimskipafélag Íslands
Hf. Eimskipafélag Íslands is a large Icelandic investment company, focused on investments in the transportation industry. The company was formed on January 1, 2005, from several long standing companies. In 2005, Eimskipafélag Íslands was ranked the second fastest growing business in Europe by the...
and at the same time sold UK Leisure Group Excel, as well as 51% of Avion Aircraft Trading. A decision was also made to merge both Excel Airways and Air Atlanta Europe into one airline. This was completed by October 2006.
In mid 2007 the airline decided to shift its focus to Air Cargo operations. The airline is planning to move to freighter
Cargo aircraft
A cargo aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft designed or converted for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. They are usually devoid of passenger amenities, and generally feature one or more large doors for the loading and unloading of cargo...
aircraft and has laid off most of their passenger aircraft aircrew
Aircrew
Aircrew are the personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight. The composition of the crew depends on the type of aircraft as well as the purpose of the flight.-Civilian:*Aviator** Pilot-in-command** First officer** Second officer** Third officer...
.
On 25 March 2008, an Air Atlanta Icelandic B747-300 was destroyed after engine number 3 caught fire soon after landing.
Britflights cancelled plans to operate flights from the UK to Canada from June 2011, citing fuel uncertainties.
Air Atlanta Icelandic is operating two 747-400's for National Airlines (N8). One flies cargo charter flights, the other one is wet leased to Cargolux.
Destinations
Air Atlanta Icelandic operates services to the following international scheduled destinations (at January 2010):- BrusselsBrusselsBrussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
Cargo flights for Saudi Arabian Airlines on wet lease - Saudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
- JeddahJeddahJeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...
for Saudi Arabian Airlines on wet lease basis
- Jeddah
- United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
- New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
(John F. Kennedy International AirportJohn F. Kennedy International AirportJohn F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
) Cargo flights for Saudi Arabian Airlines on wet lease - Houston Cargo flights for Saudi Arabian Airlines on wet lease
- New York
-
- FrankfurtFrankfurtFrankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
Cargo flights - Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
Cargo flights for Saudi Arabian Airlines on wet lease - KuwaitKuwaitThe State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
Cargo flights - Bagram AFB Cargo flights
- Frankfurt
- United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
- East Midlands Airport Cargo flights for TNT to Liege AirportLiège AirportLiège Airport , also called Liège-Bierset, is an important cargo airport in Belgium. It was at the end of 2009 the 8th biggest cargo airport in Europe...
and BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
with Etihad Crystal Cargo. Aircrafts used are TF-ELK TF-ELF - an A300-600RF.
- East Midlands Airport Cargo flights for TNT to Liege Airport
Canada extra contract has been cancelled as the UK caa regulations were not met by the canada extra operator.
Air Atlanta will not be operating this contract.
Britflights had intended to utilise Air Atlanta aircraft for the 2011 season, but suspended their intended operations, their website citing rising uncertainties created by rising fuel prices.