Iceland Express
Encyclopedia
Iceland Express is a low-fare airline
headquartered in Reykjavík
, Iceland
. It operates services to 17 destinations in Europe
and North America
using leased aircraft. Its main base is Keflavík International Airport
.
and Copenhagen
using Boeing 737-300
aircraft wet lease
d from Astraeus
. This contract was taken over by JetX Airlines and then by Hello
.
In the fall of 2008, Astraeus
resumed operating all flights on behalf of Iceland Express with two Boeing 737-700
aircraft. The airline was owned by Icelandic investment group, Northern Travel Holding. Northern Travel Holding was acquired in full by Fons in September 2008. It silently changed hands before the bankruptcy of Fons to sister company Fengur. Fons was established by the two main owners of Fengur.
Fengur acquired 100% of Astraeus
. This helped the Icelandic group support their Iceland Express subsidiary to begin low-fare transatlantic services. The two airlines continue to operate as separate entities. It was previously understood that Astraeus could have supplied Iceland Express with Boeing 757-200
aircraft to start flights from Iceland
to New York
and Boston in spring 2007, yet trans-Atlantic service did not commence until summer 2010.
The company started trans-Atlantic flights to Newark Liberty International Airport
, four times a week and Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, two times a week, in June 2010 with a mix of 737s and two Boeing 757s operated by Astraeus. In late summer 2010, the airline published the winter schedule with the Newark flights year-round, as well as seasonal destinations like Orlando.
The airline announced that it will begin flights to Chicago
, Boston
, Miami, Belfast
and Orlando
in June 2011, although the Belfast and Miami routes ended up not happening. The airline hopes to have the Belfast route start in 2012.
On 21 November 2011, Astraeus
, the sole operator of all Iceland Express flights, suddenly ceased operations with immediate effect. As a result, Iceland Express began leasing two Airbus A320
s from CSA Holidays
, a Czech Airlines
subsidiary.
Iceland previously operated these following aircrafts :
Low-cost carrier
A low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that generally has lower fares and fewer comforts...
headquartered in Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói 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 operates services to 17 destinations in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
using leased aircraft. 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 in 2002 and began operations on February 27, 2003 with daily flights to London StanstedLondon Stansted Airport
-Cargo:-Statistics:-Infrastructure:-Terminal and satellite buildings:Stansted is the newest passenger airport of all the main London airports. The terminal is an oblong glass building, and is separated in to three areas: Check-in concourse, arrivals and departures...
and Copenhagen
Copenhagen Airport
Copenhagen Airport is the main international airport serving Copenhagen, Denmark and the Oresund Region. It is located on the island of Amager, south of Copenhagen city centre, and west of Malmö city centre on the other side of the Oresund Bridge. The airport lies mainly in the municipality...
using Boeing 737-300
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...
aircraft 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...
d from Astraeus
Astraeus (airline)
Astraeus Limited, trading as Astraeus Airlines, was a British airline based at Astraeus House in Crawley, West Sussex, England. In May 2008, Astraeus changed its business model and ceased full time charter and scheduled service flying to concentrate on sublease activities...
. This contract was taken over by JetX Airlines and then by Hello
Hello (airline)
Hello AG, operating as Hello, is a Swiss charter airline, offering holiday flights to destinations around the Mediterranean Sea out of EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, Geneva International Airport or Zürich Airport. The airline's head office is located at the General Aviation site in...
.
In the fall of 2008, Astraeus
Astraeus (airline)
Astraeus Limited, trading as Astraeus Airlines, was a British airline based at Astraeus House in Crawley, West Sussex, England. In May 2008, Astraeus changed its business model and ceased full time charter and scheduled service flying to concentrate on sublease activities...
resumed operating all flights on behalf of Iceland Express with two Boeing 737-700
Boeing 737 Next Generation
The Boeing 737 Next Generation, commonly abbreviated as Boeing 737NG, is the name given to the -600/-700/-800/-900 series of the Boeing 737 after the introduction of the -300/-400/-500 Classic series. They are short- to medium-range, narrow-body jet airliners...
aircraft. The airline was owned by Icelandic investment group, Northern Travel Holding. Northern Travel Holding was acquired in full by Fons in September 2008. It silently changed hands before the bankruptcy of Fons to sister company Fengur. Fons was established by the two main owners of Fengur.
Fengur acquired 100% of Astraeus
Astraeus (airline)
Astraeus Limited, trading as Astraeus Airlines, was a British airline based at Astraeus House in Crawley, West Sussex, England. In May 2008, Astraeus changed its business model and ceased full time charter and scheduled service flying to concentrate on sublease activities...
. This helped the Icelandic group support their Iceland Express subsidiary to begin low-fare transatlantic services. The two airlines continue to operate as separate entities. It was previously understood that Astraeus could have supplied Iceland Express with Boeing 757-200
Boeing 757
The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Passenger versions of the twinjet have a capacity of 186 to 289 persons and a maximum range of , depending on variant and cabin configuration...
aircraft to start flights from 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...
to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Boston in spring 2007, yet trans-Atlantic service did not commence until summer 2010.
The company started trans-Atlantic flights to Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
, four times a week and Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, two times a week, in June 2010 with a mix of 737s and two Boeing 757s operated by Astraeus. In late summer 2010, the airline published the winter schedule with the Newark flights year-round, as well as seasonal destinations like Orlando.
The airline announced that it will begin flights to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Miami, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast 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...
and Orlando
Orlando
Orlando is a major city in the U.S. state of Florida.Orlando may also refer to-Places:* in Florida** Orlando, a major city** Greater Orlando, the 27th-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
in June 2011, although the Belfast and Miami routes ended up not happening. The airline hopes to have the Belfast route start in 2012.
On 21 November 2011, Astraeus
Astraeus (airline)
Astraeus Limited, trading as Astraeus Airlines, was a British airline based at Astraeus House in Crawley, West Sussex, England. In May 2008, Astraeus changed its business model and ceased full time charter and scheduled service flying to concentrate on sublease activities...
, the sole operator of all Iceland Express flights, suddenly ceased operations with immediate effect. As a result, Iceland Express began leasing two Airbus A320
Airbus A320
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
s from CSA Holidays
Holidays Czech Airlines
Holidays Czech Airlines is a Czech Airlines brand used for operating hoilday flights from Czech Republic to Greece, Turkey and Spain. Charter flighs also operate from Dublin, Ireland across Europe...
, a Czech Airlines
Czech Airlines
Czech Airlines j.s.c. , trading as Czech Airlines , is the national airline of the Czech Republic and temporary in Slovakia with its head office on the grounds of Ruzyně Airport in Ruzyně, Prague...
subsidiary.
Service
Iceland Express does not generally offer complementary in-flight meals or refreshments, which is to be expected from a low-fare airline. Instead, these products may be purchased at a fee. Tap water however, is provided free of charge upon request.Fleet
As of November 22,2011| Aircraft | Total | Passengers | Notes | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-214 | 2 | 180 | Operated by Holidays Czech Airlines Holidays Czech Airlines Holidays Czech Airlines is a Czech Airlines brand used for operating hoilday flights from Czech Republic to Greece, Turkey and Spain. Charter flighs also operate from Dublin, Ireland across Europe... |
OK-HCA and OK-HCB |
Iceland previously operated these following aircrafts :
- Boeing 737-300Boeing 737 ClassicThe Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
operated by AstraeusAstraeus (airline)Astraeus Limited, trading as Astraeus Airlines, was a British airline based at Astraeus House in Crawley, West Sussex, England. In May 2008, Astraeus changed its business model and ceased full time charter and scheduled service flying to concentrate on sublease activities... - Boeing 737-500Boeing 737 ClassicThe Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
operated by AstraeusAstraeus (airline)Astraeus Limited, trading as Astraeus Airlines, was a British airline based at Astraeus House in Crawley, West Sussex, England. In May 2008, Astraeus changed its business model and ceased full time charter and scheduled service flying to concentrate on sublease activities... - Boeing 737-700Boeing 737 Next GenerationThe Boeing 737 Next Generation, commonly abbreviated as Boeing 737NG, is the name given to the -600/-700/-800/-900 series of the Boeing 737 after the introduction of the -300/-400/-500 Classic series. They are short- to medium-range, narrow-body jet airliners...
operated by AstraeusAstraeus (airline)Astraeus Limited, trading as Astraeus Airlines, was a British airline based at Astraeus House in Crawley, West Sussex, England. In May 2008, Astraeus changed its business model and ceased full time charter and scheduled service flying to concentrate on sublease activities... - Boeing 757-200Boeing 757The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Passenger versions of the twinjet have a capacity of 186 to 289 persons and a maximum range of , depending on variant and cabin configuration...
operated by AstraeusAstraeus (airline)Astraeus Limited, trading as Astraeus Airlines, was a British airline based at Astraeus House in Crawley, West Sussex, England. In May 2008, Astraeus changed its business model and ceased full time charter and scheduled service flying to concentrate on sublease activities... - McDonnell Douglas MD-82
- McDonnell Douglas MD-90McDonnell Douglas MD-90The McDonnell Douglas MD-90 is a twin-engine, short- to medium-range, single-aisle commercial jet aircraft. The MD-90 was developed from the MD-80 series. Differences from the MD-80 include more fuel efficient International Aero Engines V2500 engines and a longer fuselage...