Diesel1 From UK - Wales, joined Mar 2001, 1628 posts, RR: 12 Reply 3, posted (8 years 4 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 2303 times:
CKT789 should it happen, then yes, you would expect to see Astraeus merge into Excel - in the future, Excel (the stronger brandname) would operate the flights.
SteadyEddie.... true to a point - the big money behind Astraeus was provided by Aberdeen Murray Johnstone Private Equity - if AAI were to offer enough money to give them a good return on their investment, then maybe they would sell the airline.
Jmc757 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2000, 1296 posts, RR: 8 Reply 4, posted (8 years 4 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 2291 times:
Think the answer to that is AAI want anyone, think they really want to go for the UK charter market big style. Who next? Flyjet?
Personally I would hope this doesn't happen. Astraeus are a great little outfit presently, with really high standards. Generally I think it is felt that Excel have gone down the pan a bit since they got involved with AAI, even before the buy-out when they leased the aircraft. It would be a shame to see Astraeus go the same way.
Saxon From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 83 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (8 years 4 months 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 2222 times:
I agree, when Excel had the 738s they were a brilliant airline and were popular, their service was one of their strong points. Since Air Atlanta came onto the scene with the 757s and more 767-200s their standards have slipped. Although the 737-800s are great, its a shame the 752s arent so good. There are reviews of the 757s and they have been described as 'old and tired'.
But to be fair I believe they are still a good airline, and although I havent flown on them myself, I have read many good reviews of them and I think they are still one good airline.
Saxon From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 83 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (8 years 4 months 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 2169 times:
It partly makes sense as AEU have 737s, but 733 and 737NG plus the two 752s, and this fleet (spare the 737s) fits in with XLA. I wouldnt like to see AEU go into AAI as they have very high standards and have made a good name for themselves. Not a wise move to merge in with AAI.
Also, is it true that AAI have, or were interested in acquiring Islandflug?
Saxon From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 83 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (8 years 4 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 2105 times:
It seems they (Air Atlanta Icelandic) have good connections with Excel and Islandflug. http://www.atlanta.is/index.aspx?GroupId=1706 their website mentions them and has also got a link to their website.
Asgeirs From Iceland, joined May 2001, 513 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 2032 times:
On January 1st, Air Atlanta Icelandic, Islandsflug, Air Atlanta Europe, Excel Airways, Avia Services, Air Atlanta Aero Engineering and SouthAir were merged under the name Avion Group. The Group currently operates 66 Boeing (737, 747, 757 & 767) and Airbus (A300 & A310) aircrafts.
It would be quite funny though if they were to acquire Astraeus, considering the fact that Astraeus is the flight operator for the low-cost carrier Iceland Express.
On the other wing of Icelandic aviation, Avion Group's semi-rival Icelandair recently acquired a 10% stake in EasyJet and reportedly has it's eyes on some Scandinavian carriers.
The plot would thicken a bit and some interesting stuff might happen if Avion were to take over Astraeus and Icelandair to increase their share in EasyJet.
Reykjavik Aviation Photography - Just bring the aircraft to us and we'll photograph them! :-)
Saxon From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 83 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (8 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 1976 times:
So now Excel and Islandflug are virtually just another trading name of Air Atlanta.
It might be a good thing if CC do aquire AEU if they didnt alter the configurations of their aicraft, as the 752s have a large seat pitch and are popular with many of the people who have flown them, they also have less seats with just 189 premium seats. Whereas most, if not all, UK charters operate 757s with 233 seats.
It would be Interesting if FL were to increase their stake in Easyjet.
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