Faroe Islands

Europe

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Aviation History

The Faroe Islands are an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark with self-government over most domestic affairs. Their aviation history is defined almost entirely by Atlantic Airways, founded in 1987 as a joint venture between the Faroese home government and Danish carrier Cimber Air (fully Faroese-owned since 1989), which operates both scheduled jet service to Copenhagen and beyond and the territory's search-and-rescue helicopter fleet out of Vágar Airport, the islands' only airport.

Atlantic Airways is unusual among national carriers in also operating the territory's dedicated search-and-rescue helicopter service.
1987
Atlantic Airways founded

Established on 10 November 1987 as a joint venture between the Faroese government (51%) and Cimber Air (49%).

1988
First scheduled flight

Atlantic Airways began service on 28 March 1988 between Vágar and Copenhagen using a British Aerospace 146.

1989
Full Faroese government ownership

The Faroese government took full ownership of Atlantic Airways, cementing it as the territory's designated flag carrier.

1994
Helicopter and SAR operations integrated

Atlantic Airways took over domestic inter-island helicopter service and search-and-rescue duties, maintaining at least one helicopter on SAR standby at all times.

2004
Sole scheduled operator

After remaining competitors ceased service, Atlantic Airways became the sole regularly scheduled airline serving the Faroe Islands.

2012
Transition to Airbus A319

The airline began replacing its BAe 146 fleet with Airbus A319 jets starting in March 2012, later moving to A320/A320neo aircraft.

2015
First female Nordic airline CEO

Jóhanna á Bergi became CEO of Atlantic Airways in June 2015, reported as the first woman to lead a Nordic airline.

Notable Carriers

Atlantic Airways

Wikipedia, Atlantic Airways corporate history, Simple Flying

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