Viking Airlines
Encyclopedia
Viking Airlines AB was a privately owned charter airline with a head office in Stockholm
, Sweden
and based in Stockholm. Viking Airlines primarily operated charter flights for European tour operators. The airline was established in 2003. Viking Airlines had its head office in Spånga
and in Stockholm
, Sweden
Viking Airlines ceased operations on 18 October 2010 and was granted protection from creditors and placed in the hands of an administrator on 2 December 2010. The company was formally declared bankrupt in February 2011.
Viking Airlines started operations on 5 May 2003, with two McDonnell Douglas MD-83 which were used for charter operations throughout Europe. In 2004 another MD-83 was added to the fleet and by 2006 it was operating four MD-83s. Three aircraft were sold in 2008 leaving a single McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft being operated in 2008, which was supplemented with aircraft from Sky Wings
to meet seasonal demand.
In December 2008 Viking Airlines took delivery of one Boeing 737-800
, which entered service from a new base at London Gatwick Airport
, UK
on 19 December 2008. Viking Airlines also took delivery of 5 more Boeing 737-800
's and 3 Boeing 737-300
's in April 2009. Some aircraft were leased from Sunwing Airlines
. Viking also opened bases at Manchester and Bristol Airport
where it launched new flights to holiday destinations in Greece, Bulgaria, Egypt, the Canary Islands, France and Italy. Another base was also opened in Glasgow
later in the year, with new flights to the Mediterranean.
On 16 July 2010, Goldtrail
, the UK's leading tour operator for packaged holidays to Turkey
and Greece
collapsed leaving an estimated 16,000 customers stranded overseas. Viking Airlines was one of the three charter airlines that operated flights for Goldtrail.
On 17 August 2010, the airline stated that, as a consequence of Flight Options' going into administration, it was to cut three aircraft "immediately" from its fleet. On 15 October 2010, Viking suspended operations for the winter season, returning all remaining aircraft to their lessors. On 17 August 2010, Kiss Flights
went into liquidation. Viking cut their fleet back to 6 aircraft because Viking was also an airline that operated for Kiss. Viking's fleet was further reduced to 2 during September/October 2010.
On 15 October 2010, Viking confirmed that the remaining aircraft had been handed back to the lessors. On the 19 October 2010, all operational staff employed by Viking Airlines AB in the United Kingdom by the wholly owned subsidiary Viking VIP Limited received a letter of Termination of Contract from the Director of Flight Operations, Bo-Göran Svensson. This "released all staff from employment" with immediate effect and without compensation or remuneration. However, the airline has filed for bankruptcy protection, intending to recommence services on 31 March 2011, Viking was formally declared bankrupt in February 2011 with the loss of its remaining 11 staff at its Spånga
base.
In February 2011, the company's domain name was taken over by former Greek sister company Viking Hellas
(Flyviking.com Limited), with flights between Gatwick, England and Greece, Turkey and Egypt using Airbus A320
. Flyviking and Viking Airlines share the same United Kingdom address in Gatwick, Sussex. Viking Hellas planned to rename itself Fly Hellas on 1 May, so it can distance itself from its former sister company Viking Airlines, and at the same time withdraw from its Gatwick base.
All Viking Airlines AB fleet has now been returned to the lessors.
Viking Airlines used to operate the following aircraft:
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and based in Stockholm. Viking Airlines primarily operated charter flights for European tour operators. The airline was established in 2003. Viking Airlines had its head office in Spånga
Spånga
Spånga is a community and parish in Stockholm County, Sweden.-Background:Spånga was an independent municipality until January 1, 1949 when most of it was merged with the City of Stockholm, with smaller portions of the area merging with Solna, Sundbyberg, and Sollentuna municipalities.Spånga was...
and in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden
Viking Airlines ceased operations on 18 October 2010 and was granted protection from creditors and placed in the hands of an administrator on 2 December 2010. The company was formally declared bankrupt in February 2011.
History
Sky Wings
Sky Wings is a Greek charter airline that was founded in 2004 and started operations in June 2006.Sky Wings was owned by Greek and Ukrainian interests namely Khors Aircompany .-Destinations:...
to meet seasonal demand.
In December 2008 Viking Airlines took delivery of one Boeing 737-800
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...
, which entered service from a new base at London Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is located 3.1 miles north of the centre of Crawley, West Sussex, and south of Central London. Previously known as London Gatwick,In 2010, the name changed from London Gatwick Airport to Gatwick Airport...
, UK
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...
on 19 December 2008. Viking Airlines also took delivery of 5 more Boeing 737-800
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...
's and 3 Boeing 737-300
Boeing 737 Classic
The 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...
's in April 2009. Some aircraft were leased from Sunwing Airlines
Sunwing Airlines
Sunwing Airlines Inc. is an airline headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, offering scheduled and chartered services to Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Central America, South America as well as domestic services during the summer season.It is a subsidiary of Sunwing...
. Viking also opened bases at Manchester and Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport may refer to:* Bristol Airport, serving Bristol, England, United Kingdom ** Bristol Airport , a docu-soap based on events at Bristol Airport...
where it launched new flights to holiday destinations in Greece, Bulgaria, Egypt, the Canary Islands, France and Italy. Another base was also opened in Glasgow
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport may refer to:*Glasgow International Airport, in Renfrewshire, the primary airport serving Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.*Glasgow Airport , also known as Wokal Field, in Glasgow, Montana, United States.It may also refer to:...
later in the year, with new flights to the Mediterranean.
On 16 July 2010, Goldtrail
Goldtrail
Goldtrail was a UK based tour operator that specialised in operated flights and holidays to Turkey and Greece.The company also trades under the names of Goldtrail Holidays, Goldtrail Travel and Sunmar.It collapsed in 2010 and went into administration...
, the UK's leading tour operator for packaged holidays to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
collapsed leaving an estimated 16,000 customers stranded overseas. Viking Airlines was one of the three charter airlines that operated flights for Goldtrail.
On 17 August 2010, the airline stated that, as a consequence of Flight Options' going into administration, it was to cut three aircraft "immediately" from its fleet. On 15 October 2010, Viking suspended operations for the winter season, returning all remaining aircraft to their lessors. On 17 August 2010, Kiss Flights
Kiss Flights
Kiss Flights was a charter, seat only tour operator which ceased trading on 17 August 2010. Kiss Flights was a trading name for Flight Options Ltd, based in London...
went into liquidation. Viking cut their fleet back to 6 aircraft because Viking was also an airline that operated for Kiss. Viking's fleet was further reduced to 2 during September/October 2010.
On 15 October 2010, Viking confirmed that the remaining aircraft had been handed back to the lessors. On the 19 October 2010, all operational staff employed by Viking Airlines AB in the United Kingdom by the wholly owned subsidiary Viking VIP Limited received a letter of Termination of Contract from the Director of Flight Operations, Bo-Göran Svensson. This "released all staff from employment" with immediate effect and without compensation or remuneration. However, the airline has filed for bankruptcy protection, intending to recommence services on 31 March 2011, Viking was formally declared bankrupt in February 2011 with the loss of its remaining 11 staff at its Spånga
Spånga
Spånga is a community and parish in Stockholm County, Sweden.-Background:Spånga was an independent municipality until January 1, 1949 when most of it was merged with the City of Stockholm, with smaller portions of the area merging with Solna, Sundbyberg, and Sollentuna municipalities.Spånga was...
base.
In February 2011, the company's domain name was taken over by former Greek sister company Viking Hellas
Viking Hellas
Fly Hellas was a privately owned charter airline. Its main base is Athens International Airport.- History :In October 2009 Viking Hellas was created and awarded their air operators certificate by the Hellenic CAA....
(Flyviking.com Limited), with flights between Gatwick, England and Greece, Turkey and Egypt using Airbus A320
Airbus A320 family
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...
. Flyviking and Viking Airlines share the same United Kingdom address in Gatwick, Sussex. Viking Hellas planned to rename itself Fly Hellas on 1 May, so it can distance itself from its former sister company Viking Airlines, and at the same time withdraw from its Gatwick base.
Fleet
The Viking Airlines fleet included the following aircraft in an all-economy configuration:All Viking Airlines AB fleet has now been returned to the lessors.
Viking Airlines used to operate the following aircraft:
| Aircraft | Total | Time of operation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-300 Boeing 737 Classic The 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... |
3 | 2009–2010 | |
| Boeing 737-800 | 6 | 2008–2010 | 3 leased from Sunwing Airlines Sunwing Airlines Sunwing Airlines Inc. is an airline headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, offering scheduled and chartered services to Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Central America, South America as well as domestic services during the summer season.It is a subsidiary of Sunwing... |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-83 | 5 | 2003–2009 | |
Number of passengers by year
- 2003: 160,000
- 2004: 200,000
- 2005: 290,000
- 2006: 350,000
- 2007: 340 000