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Bluebird Nordic

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bluebird Nordic
IATA ICAO Call sign
BO BBD BLUE CARGO
Founded1999
Commenced operationsMarch 2001
Ceased operations30 April 2024
HubsKeflavík International Airport
Fleet size14
Destinations3 (scheduled)[1]
Parent companyAvia Solutions Group
HeadquartersReykjavík, Iceland
Key peopleAudrone Keinyte, CEO
Websitebluebird.is

Bluebird Nordic, formerly Bluebird Cargo, was a cargo airline based in Reykjavík, Iceland, operating scheduled and chartered cargo services to and from Iceland and within Europe out of its base at Keflavík International Airport, with a special focus on Liège Airport and East Midlands Airport as freight hubs.[2]

History

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Bluebird Cargo was established in 1999 and started operations in March 2001. Operations began with daily freighter services between Iceland, the United Kingdom and Germany with a single Boeing 737-300F. It was wholly owned by Icelandair Group[3] until 2010 and had 63 employees as of 2007.[citation needed]

In 2014, the airline was bought by Haru Holding and Steinn Logi Björnsson became CEO. In 2017, the company changed their name from Bluebird Cargo to Bluebird Nordic[2] In January 2020, Avia Solutions Group acquired 100% of Bluebird Nordic.[4]

In August 2021, Bluebird Nordic announced plans to increase its Boeing 737-800 fleet to 25 by 2024.[5] On 4 January 2022, Bluebird Nordic acquired a Boeing 777-300ER which was formerly operated by Emirates.[6] On 25 January 2022, Bluebird Nordic acquired another 777-300ER which was formerly operated by Cathay Pacific. In April 2022, Bluebird Nordic appointed Audrone Keinyte as new CEO.[7]

Bluebird Nordic ceased operations on 30 April 2024 and returned all aircraft to their lessors.[8]

Destinations

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A Bluebird Nordic Boeing 737-400F at Tallinn Airport in 2020

As of February 2021, Bluebird Nordic operated freight services to the following scheduled destinations in addition to ad-hoc and charter services:[1]

Fleet

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At the time of its cessation it operated three Boeing 737-400Fs and one Boeing 777-200F.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b bluebird.is - Air Freight retrieved 8 February 2021
  2. ^ a b "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-03-27. p. 87.
  3. ^ "Icelandic Conversion", Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 8, 2007.
  4. ^ https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/freighter-operator/avia-solutions-to-buy-freighter-operator-bluebird-nordic/ Avia Solutions to buy freighter operator Bluebird Nordic
  5. ^ "BlueBird Nordic adding 25 B737 freighters to its fleet". Aviation Nepal. 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  6. ^ "TF-BBB Bluebird Cargo Boeing 777-300ER". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  7. ^ "Bluebird Nordic appointed Audrone Keinyte as new CEO". aviasg.com. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
  8. ^ a b In Brief Airliner World July 2024 page 7
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Media related to Bluebird Cargo at Wikimedia Commons