Atlantic Airways

Regular scheduled air links to the Faroes had been in operation with Icelandair from 1963, between the islands, Denmark, Scotland and Iceland.{{Cite web |last=Jósefsdóttir |first=Kristján Már Unnarsson,Sólrún Dögg |date=2024-01-05 |title=Icelandair flýgur til Færeyja að nýju - Vísir |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20242564706d/icelandair-flygur-til-faer-eyja-ad-nyju |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=visir.is |language=is}} Although the airport at Vágar had been constructed by the British Army during World War II, air traffic to the islands was limited in the 1960s. In 1971, more regular services to Copenhagen began with Maersk Air. Calls for the creation of a Faroese airline company began in the early 1980s. Passenger numbers were steadily increasing and Danish carrier Maersk Air enjoyed the monopoly as the sole airline to serve the Faroe Islands.

Image:Avro at Vagar Airport.JPG]]

As a result, Atlantic Airways was established in 1987, initially between the Faroese government (51%) and Danish airline Cimber Air (49%), though the Faroese government would assume full ownership in 1989. Flights commenced between Vágar and Copenhagen on 28 March 1988 using a British Aerospace 146. A hangar was built at Vágar by the Faroese government in order to secure Atlantic Airways' home base in the Faroes, ensuring maintenance facilities were available on the islands.

The aim of the new airline company was to build up a Faroese aviation industry on a commercial basis and to ensure the Faroe Islands an air connection with the outside world. Flight crews and management were Faroese.

Though load factors were high and the new service was popular, Atlantic Airways had a turbulent beginning economically. The Faroe Islands suffered a severe economic depression in the early 1990s, and at its nadir in 1992, the Faroese government delivered 75 m DKK in aid to the struggling carrier. Atlantic Airways would not become profitable until 1995.

File:Narsarsuaq-airport-atlantic-airways-avro-rj85-oyrce.jpg, Greenland]]

Flights were launched to Reykjavík in 1995 in co-operation with Icelandair, and also to Narsarsuaq in Greenland in the summer months, in co-operation with Icelandair. The latter half of the 1990s saw Billund in Denmark and Aberdeen in the UK added to Atlantic Airways' flight schedule. In 2004, Icelandair ceased operating their own flights to Vágar, albeit retaining their partnership with Atlantic Airways.{{Cite journal |last1=Heiðarsson |first1=Jón Þorvaldur |last2=Hjalti |first2=Jóhannesson |date=July 2004 |title=FLUG OG SJÓFLUTNINGAR Á VESTURNORÐURLÖNDUM GREINING OG FRAMTÍÐARSPÁ |url=https://www.rha.is/static/files/Rannsoknir/2004/VestNorden_samgongur_loka-isl.pdf |journal=Rannsóknastofnun Háskólans Á Akureyri}} Maersk Air also ceased flights to Vágar in 2004, leaving Atlantic Airways as the only regularly scheduled operator to the Faroe Islands.{{Cite web |title=Faroe Island-based Atlantic Airways has excelled in mastering unaccommodating operational challenges |url=https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/faroe-island-based-atlantic-airways-has-excelled-in-mastering-unaccommodating-operational-challenges-83953 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=CAPA - Centre for Aviation |language=en}}

The growing list of destinations and increasing passenger numbers, together with the stabilisation of the airline's finances, saw a second BAe 146 added to the fleet in 2000. This new aircraft meant services to London Stansted in England and the Norwegian capital Oslo added to the network. Growth in tourism on the islands has also enabled flights to Aalborg, Stavanger, Stord and Edinburgh. However, for the 2006 season services to Stord have been discontinued, and Edinburgh replaced by the Shetland Islands. Atlantic Airways also entered the UK domestic market in 2006, becoming the only carrier to offer a direct service between Shetland and London, which it did on a twice weekly basis. The UK domestic operation ceased in 2008.

Atlantic Airways also operates a domestic service by helicopter, in many instances a vital connection to many of the islands, which otherwise can only be reached by sea. The helicopter has proved a vital tool on the islands since the 1960s, when helicopters from Danish coast guard vessels patrolling the Faroes undertook a variety of tasks, including ferrying equipment and supplies between the islands. The government hired a helicopter in 1978 for these tasks, but in the 1980s a commercial public helicopter service was launched linking each of the islands using two Bell 212 helicopters.

File:Airbus A319-115 Atlantic Airways OY-RCG.jpg landing at Barcelona–El Prat Airport, Spain]]

Initially, the helicopter service was a standalone company, SL Helicopters, but the decision to concentrate Faroese aviation into one firm led to the helicopter department becoming part of Atlantic Airways in 1994. The helicopters provide a round trip 'hopper' service to each of the islands, which is also ideal for tourists looking for aerial views. The company is required to have at least one helicopter operational and ready for search and rescue duties.

From approximately 2002 to 2007, Atlantic Airways has produced profits of between 8 and 13 million DKK. The company has increased its turnover from 120 million in 1998 to 520 million DKK in 2006. Atlantic Airways employed 177 people at January 2007. Atlantic Airways was listed at the Iceland Stock Exchange on 10 December 2007.

The Faroese government has decided on a privatisation process and has sold off 33% of the company in the first bidding round. The first day of trading was 10 December 2007.

The government had planned to sell 33% more in 2008, but this was cancelled due to the 2008 financial crisis.{{cite web|url=http://www.atlantic.fo/Default.asp?sida%3D3097 |title=Atlantic Airways |access-date=5 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213032626/http://www.atlantic.fo/Default.asp?sida=3097 |archive-date=13 December 2007 }}{{Cite web |date=2007-12-13 |title=Atlantic Airways |url=http://www.atlantic.fo/Default.asp?sida=3097 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213032626/http://www.atlantic.fo/Default.asp?sida=3097 |archive-date=2007-12-13 |access-date=2022-11-07 }}

The first Airbus A319 for Atlantic Airways, registered OY-RCG, entered service in March 2012, with a modified livery. The runway at Vágar required an extension to properly accommodate this aircraft. The second and third Airbus 319s (OY-RCH and OY-RCI) entered service in May and October 2013 respectively. As the lease of these ran out by the end of 2016, only one was renewed while a brand new Airbus A320 was delivered.

On 3 June 2015, Jóhanna á Bergi became CEO of the company.{{cite web|url=http://kvf.fo/greinar/2015/06/02/johanna-bergi-nyggjur-stjori-i-atlantic-airways |title=Jóhanna á Bergi nýggjur stjóri í Atlantic Airways | Kringvarp Føroya |language=fo |website=Kvf.fo |date=7 March 2014}} She is the first woman to become CEO of a Nordic airline.{{cite web|last=Baumgarten |first=Henrik |url=http://www.standby.dk/kvinde-i-spidsen-for-atlantic-airways/ |title=Kvinde i spidsen for Atlantic Airways | Stand By - Morgennyheder til rejse-, hotel- og turistbranchen |website=Standby.dk |date=3 June 2015 |access-date=17 September 2016}}

In December 2018, the airline submitted an application for commercial services to the United States.{{cite news | author = Nick Wenzel | title = Atlantic Airways applies for Faroe-US flights = International Flight Network | date = 15 December 2018 | url = https://ifn.news/posts/atlantic-airways-applies-for-faroe-us-flights/}} As Atlantic Airways transitioned their fleet from Airbus A319s to A320s, they moved their Iceland flights from to Keflavík International Airport in 2018, due to aircraft size restrictions at Reykjavík Airport.{{Cite web |last=Unnarsson |first=Kristján Már |date=2018-10-26 |title=Síðasta flug til Færeyja frá Reykjavíkurflugvelli - Vísir |url=https://www.visir.is/g/2018181029107 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=visir.is |language=is}}

On 13 March 2020, Atlantic Airways announced the suspension of all routes until 13 April 2020 except the route to Copenhagen due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|title=Flogferðslan munandi skerd|url=http://kvf.fo/greinar/2020/03/13/flogferdslan-munandi-skerd|publisher=Kringvarp Føroya|access-date=2020-03-15}}

On 22 August 2023, Atlantic Airways started to operate seven-hour flight weekly scheduled nonstop service between the U.S. and the Faroe Islands with service to the Faroe Islands on Wednesdays and flights to Stewart International Airport on Tuesdays.{{Cite web |title=Atlantic Airways is launching nonstop U.S.-Faroe Islands service |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/US-Faroe-Islands-nonstop-Atlantic-Airways |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=www.travelweekly.com |language=en}} The carrier, which operates the route with Airbus A320neo, is the only one to use the aircraft type on transatlantic flights.{{Cite web |last=Miguens |first=Agustín |date=2023-05-18 |title=Atlantic Airways is now marketing its flights between the Faroe Islands and New York |url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/05/atlantic-airways-is-now-marketing-its-flights-between-the-faroe-islands-and-new-york/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Aviacionline.com |language=es}}

File:Bill Clinton and Magni Arge.jpg and former Atlantic Airways President Magni Arge at Vágar Airport, before flying to Copenhagen]]

{{As of|2024|11}}, Atlantic Airways serves the following scheduled destinations:{{Cite web|publisher=Atlantic Airways|url=https://www.atlanticairways.com/en/book/routes|access-date=22 March 2024|title=Routes}}

Atlantic Airways also operates charters for Danish tour operators to destinations such as Italy, Portugal (Porto Santo), Croatia, Greece, Bulgaria, France, Scotland, Norway and the Czech Republic, out of Copenhagen Kastrup and Billund airports.

There is domestic helicopter service{{cite web|url=http://www.atlantic.fo/default.aspx?pageid%3D4540%26sectionid%3D137 |title=Timetable - Atlantic Airways |access-date=18 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614145811/http://www.atlantic.fo/default.aspx?pageid=4540§ionid=137 |archive-date=14 June 2012 }} to the islands. The helicopters depart from Vágar Airport on Sunday, Monday (only in June, July, & August), Wednesday, and Friday.

The flights visit the capital Tórshavn and second largest town Klaksvík, the southern islands Skúvoy, Stóra Dímun, Suðuroy (Froðba), the northern islands Svínoy and Fugloy (Hattarvík and Kirkja) and the western island Mykines.

Atlantic Airways currently has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

• Air France{{Cite web |title=Súlubonus - Atlantic Airways |url=https://www.atlanticairways.com/en/travel-info/s%C3%BAlubonus |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=www.atlanticairways.com}}
• Icelandair {{cite web|title=Icelandair Begins Atlantic Airways Faroe Islands Codeshare Service in NS25|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250326-firccodeshare}}
• KLM

• Hahn Air https://www.hahnair.com/en/partner-carriers

{{As of|2023|07}}, with the addition of an A320-214 previously operated by Air France and delivered June 3, 2023,{{cite web |title=AIRBUS A320 - MSN 5084 OY-RCM - Atlantic Airways |url=https://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a320-5084.htm|access-date=2023-07-01}} the Atlantic Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft:{{cite journal|title=Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)|journal=Airliner World|issue=October 2019|page=13}}

File:Atlantic Airways Airbus A320N OY-RCK - 2.jpg]]

File:Atlantic Airways A319 OY-RCG.JPG]]

File:OY-HIL helicopter in Torshavn.jpg

The AgustaWestland AW139 is the only primary helicopter used for flights to district villages. With a capacity to seat 15 passengers, the helicopter is used to shuttle passengers in the Faroe Islands.

BAe 146-200 One crashed in Atlantic Airways Flight 670.

• 1989: an Atlantic Airways BAe 146–200 (registration OY-CRG) aircraft failed to stop at the end of the runway and was subsequently out of service for three weeks. This aircraft would later be destroyed in the crash of Flight 670.
• On the night 16–17 December 1992, a Bell 212 helicopter being used as an air ambulance crashed due to poor visibility. All five people on board were killed.{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=Accident Bell 212 OY-HEA, 16 Dec 1992 |url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/32486 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=aviation-safety.net}}{{cite web |url=https://d3b1dqw2kzexi.cloudfront.net/media/1030/rapport-om-uddannelser-og-udstyr-pr%C3%A6hospitalsberedskab.pdf |title=Rapport om Uddannelser og Udstyr indenfor det Færøske Præhospitalsberedskab |date=2007-03-15 |publisher=Almanna- Heilsumálaráđiđ |access-date=2020-05-07 |quote=I forbindelse hermed må der nævnes den tragiske helikopterulykke ved Klaksvík i 1992, hvor helikopterne efter en patienttrasnport til Landssygehuset styrter på en fjeldside i en snebye. (In connection with this, the tragic helicopter accident at Klaksvík in 1992 must be mentioned, where the helicopters crashed on a mountain side in a snowstorm after a patient transport to the National Hospital.) |language=da }}
• On 10 October 2006, Atlantic Airways Flight 670, a BAe 146–200 (registration OY-CRG) skidded off the runway at Stord Airport in Norway. Of the 12 passengers and four crew, four were killed and 12 survived with injuries. The aircraft had been chartered by Aker Kværner to fly personnel from Stavanger (Sola Airport) to Molde via Stord. The aircraft appeared to have been unable to stop on the runway when its spoilers failed to extend during landing. The aircraft crossed the threshold and continued down a slope before coming to rest and catching fire.{{Cite news |date=2006-10-10 |title=Norway runway blaze kills three |language=en-GB |pages=1 |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6036321.stm |access-date=2022-11-07}}{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=ASN Aircraft accident British Aerospace BAe-146-200A OY-CRG Stord-Sørstokken Airport (SRP) |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20061010-0 |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=aviation-safety.net}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category-inline|Atlantic Airways}}

• [https://www.atlanticairways.com/ Official website]

{{Portal bar|Aviation}}

{{OMX Iceland 6 companies}}

{{Airlines of Denmark}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Airlines of the Faroe Islands

Category:European Regions Airline Association

Category:Helicopter airlines

Category:Airlines established in 1987

Category:Danish companies established in 1987