Blue Air

Blue Air was[4] a Romanian low-cost airline headquartered in Bucharest,[9] with its former hub at Henri Coandă International Airport. It was the largest Romanian airline by scheduled passengers flown.[10] In 2017, Blue Air carried over 5 million passengers, a 40% increase over the 3.6 million passengers flown the previous year.[11] As of September 2022, Blue Air served 75 scheduled destinations in 21 countries.[3][7]

Not to be confused with Air Bleu or Airblue.
Blue Air
IATA ICAO Callsign
0B BLA BLUE AIR
Founded2004
Commenced operations2004
Ceased operations6 September 2022 (suspension)[1][2][3]
21 March 2023 (insolvency)[4]
AOC #RO-055[5]
Operating bases
HubsHenri Coandă International Airport
Frequent-flyer programMy Blue
Fleet size2[6]
Destinations75[3][7]
Parent companystate-owned (75 %)[8]
HeadquartersBucharest, Romania
Key peopleCristian Rada, CEO
RevenueDecrease €108 million (2020)
Net incomeDecrease €81.1 million (2020)
Employees806 (2020)
Websiteflyblueair.com

Blue Air was forced to suspend all operations on 6 September 2022[1][2] and has not resumed any flight since.[12] As of November 2022, its license had also been suspended[13] and the dormant airline has been nationalized in December 2022.[8] In March 2023, Blue Air subsequently filed for insolvency.[4]

History

Foundation and early years
A former Blue Air Boeing 737-300 in 2010 showing an older livery.

Founded by Nelu Iordache,[14] Blue Air started operating in December 2004. Blue Air initially operated domestic and international flights, although domestic services were soon discontinued due to low sales and competition from TAROM, as well as Căile Ferate Române, the Romanian rail company. Blue Air resumed domestic operations in 2015, starting with Bucharest to Iași flights.[15]

On 12 April 2013, Blue Air's management announced that the airline was for sale.[16] On 17 May 2013, the company was purchased by four Romanian shareholders, and BlueAir Transport Aerian SA's flight operations were transferred to Blue Air – Airline Management Solution SRL, a company that bailed the business out with EUR 30 million.[17] In 2015, Blue Air reported a net profit of EUR 6 million, contrasting to the company's loss of EUR 400,000 in 2014.[18]

The airline transported 1.5 million passengers in 2014, an increase from the 1.35 million passengers in 2013.[19] In 2015, the airline transported for the first time more than 2 million passengers.[20] With a total of 25 new routes announced for 2016, the airline forecasts carrying close to three million passengers in 2016.[21]

Blue Air became a full member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on 19 January 2016.[22] Furthermore, Blue Air received the IATA Operational Safety Audit certification in December 2015,[23] being a member of the IATA Clearing House).[24]

In March 2017, Blue Air started a base in Liverpool John Lennon Airport, operating to 8 destinations across Europe. Blue Air also created a 'welcome to Liverpool' Livery for their Boeing 737-800 Aircraft (YR-BMH).[25] This aircraft included slogans such as 'Cool city, Warm welcome' and 'Liverpool Music city' to help use the aircraft to promote its new base in Liverpool, England, by flying this logo jet across Europe. This aircraft is also the only full special livery aircraft within the Blue Air fleet.[26]

Since November 2017, with the entry into force of the Territorial Continuity in Sardinia, Blue Air connects the Alghero airport with the Rome-Fiumicino Airport, a route operated in the past by Alitalia. The airline, following a conference held at Alghero Airport in early November, announced that the Riviera del Corallo became his fourth international base of operations, after those in Torino, Liverpool and Larnaca. In January 2018, Blue Air planned to launch a new subsidiary in the Czech Republic, known as Blue Air Moravia,[27] however this never took place.

Developments since 2018

In 2018 the legal status of the company was changed, from a limited liability company to a joint-stock company; it also changed its legal name to Blue Air Aviation SA.[28] In that same year (2018), Civil Aviation Group (a joint venture between Moldovan investors and Blue Air) won the privatization process of Moldova's airline, Air Moldova, for the sum of 50 millions MDL (2.56 million EUR). Civil Aviation Group took over Air Moldova's debts, worth 1.2 billion Moldovan lei (61 million euro).[29]

On 6 July 2020, Blue Air filed for bankruptcy protection after a steep decrease in revenue which was only partially balanced by a 65 Million Euro loan received as state aid from the Romanian government.[30]

In November 2020, the airline announced the retirement of their Boeing 737-300s and -500s and replace them with additional leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft.[31]

Suspension of operations

On 6 September 2022, it was announced that Blue Air was forced to suspend all operations for at least six days, following the seizure of the airline's accounts by the Romanian authorities.[1][2] Prior to this event there had already been arguments between the airline and the state after a high-ranking official advised against buying tickets from the airline.[1][3]

On 7 September, the assets were released by the government with Blue Air planning to resume reduced operations with just five aircraft in the near future.[32] However, shortly after Blue Air announced the suspension of all flights until at least 10 October 2022 as the airline is currently not able to afford fuel and other services.[33] On 30 September 2022, the airline removed its entire route network from sale.[34] Shortly after, all five of the airline's Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft were relocated to LOT Polish Airlines by their lessor.[35] As of October 2022, Blue Air did not plan to resume operations earlier than late 2022.[12]

In November 2022 it has been announced that Blue Air will be nationalized with the Romanian state taking over 75 percent of shares as the currently dormant airline was unable to pay back a state loan.[36] During the same time, the airline's operational license has been suspended, but not revoked.[13]

In December 2022, Blue Air has been nationalized with the Romanian state contemplating an onward sale of its confiscated 75 percent share to an investor.[8] Shortly after it has been reported that the dormant airline had accumulated up to € 250 million in debt.[37]

On 21 March 2023, Blue Air filed for insolvency.[4]

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Turnover (€m) 24 50 95 124 140 150 149 137 135 148 199 291 412 495 458 108
Net profit (€m) - - - - - - - - - −0.3 5.9 −26 −32 −31 15 −81
Number of passengers (m) - - - 1.1 1.72 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.37 1.6 2.05 3.6 5.1 5.2 - 1.6
Number of aircraft (at year end) 3 4 5 6 10 8 8 8 8 11 15 24 29 25 23 14
Number of employees - - - - - - - - 437 504 585 921 1,240 1,121 1,145 806
Notes/sources [38][39] [38][39] [38] [38] [38] [38] [38] [38] [38][40] [38][41][42] [41][17][42] [43] [42][41] [42] [42] [42]

Operations

Bases

Blue Air has used Bucharest as its primary hub for most of its history. Initially, the airline's hub was located at the Aurel Vlaicu International Airport (Băneasa), until the airport became overcrowded and was increasingly surrounded by urban development. This fact led to the airport's closure for commercial airlines in 2012- the airport was not closed officially, but the operating taxes for airlines were suddenly increased until no airline could afford them.[44] As a result, all airlines moved their operations to Bucharest's largest airport, Henri Coandă International Airport. Blue Air then used this airport as its primary hub until its demise.

As of February 2022, the other bases of Blue Air were located in Romania and Italy:

Blue Air also used to have additional base operations at other Romanian and European airports. A base was maintained at Liverpool John Lennon Airport between 2017[48][49] and February 2019. They also had a base at Alghero–Fertilia Airport which was inaugurated in 2017[50][51] and closed in April 2019.[52] The base at Mihail Kogălniceanu International Airport, which was maintained since April 2017[53] closed in 2019 as well. The base at Larnaca International Airport closed in September 2020,[54] the one at Iași International Airport shut down in November 2020.[55] However, prior to the shutdown of operations, Iași was planned to be restablished as an operational base from 2023, inaugurating 14 routes.[56]

Destinations

As of September 2022, prior to the suspension of operations, Blue Air offered flights to 75 scheduled destinations in 21 countries.[3][7] The airline also operated ad-hoc and seasonal charters on behalf of other companies.[57]

Codeshare agreements

Blue Air maintained codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

Fleet
Blue Air Boeing 737-500
A former Blue Air Boeing 737-800 wearing an older livery version.

Final fleet

As of January 2023, after significantly downsizing its numbers, the Blue Air fleet consisted of the following aircraft prior to ceasing operations:[59][6]

Blue Air Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
Boeing 737-500 2 — 120 both currently stored[6]
Total 2 —

Historical fleet

Since its inauguration, Blue Air formerly also operated the following types of aircraft:[6]

Aircraft Introduced Retired Notes
Boeing 737-300[6] 2004 2021
Boeing 737-400[6] 2006 2020
Boeing 737-700 2015 2022 Removed from service after the suspension of operations.[6]
Boeing 737-800 2008 2022 Removed from service after the suspension of operations.[6]
Boeing 737 MAX 8 2021 2022 Returned to lessor after the suspension of operations.[35]
Saab 340 2009 2013 operated by Direct Aero Services[6]
Saab 2000 2009 2009 leased from Carpatair[6]

See also

References
  1. ch-aviation.com - Romania's Blue Air suspends operations, blames the state 6 September 2022
  2. travelweekly.co.uk - Romanian carrier Blue Air grounded by government 6 September 2022
  3. aerotelegraph.com (German) 6 September 2022
  4. romania-insider.com - Romanian airline Blue Air enters insolvency 22 March 2023
  5. "OPERATORI AERIENI ROMÂNI CERTIFICAŢI/AUTORIZAŢI ROMANIAN CERTIFIED/AUTHORIZED AIR OPERATORS 27.05.2022" (PDF). AUTORITATEA AERONAUTICĂ CIVILĂ ROMÂNĂ (in Romanian). 27 May 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  6. "Blue Air Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. 9 November 2022.
  7. flyblueair.com - Map Archived 2021-04-20 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 6 September 2022
  8. ch-aviation.com - Bucharest nationalises Blue Air, mulls sale to US investor 27 December 2022
  9. Concept, Openmind. "Contact | Blue Air". www.blueairweb.com. Retrieved 2017-03-21.
  10. "Compania aeriană românească Blue Air a depăşit pragul de 5 milioane de pasageri | Ziarul Financiar". www.zf.ro. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  11. Stefan, Teodor (21 January 2018). "Peste 5 milioane de pasageri au ales Blue Air in 2017". Aeronews.ro (in Romanian). Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  12. ch-aviation.com - Romania's Blue Air to remain dormant through late 4Q22 - CEO 14 October 2022
  13. airliners.de (German) 25 November 2022
  14. "Nelu Iordache își vrea Blue Air înapoi". Capital.ro. 25 May 2016.
  15. routesonline.com - Blue Air Adds New Iasi Routes in W15 21 September 2015
  16. "Compania aeriană Blue Air, scoasă la vânzare" (in Romanian).
  17. "Afacerile Blue Air au depăşit pentru prima dată pragul de 200 de milioane de euro în 2015". 2 June 2016.
  18. "Romanian low-cost airline posts record turnover". Romania Insider. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  19. "Blue Air Estimează Că A Transportat 1,5 Milioane de Pasageri În 2014" (in Romanian). 6 January 2015. Archived from the original on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  20. "Peste 2 milioane de pasageri transportati de Blue Air in 2015". T2T.ro (in Romanian). 23 December 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  21. dcnews (8 July 2016). "Blue Air "suflă" în ceafa TAROM" (in Romanian). Retrieved 2017-03-21.
  22. "Blue Air joins IATA – Airlines International Blue Air joins IATA". IATA.org official. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  23. "Blue Air a primit certificarea IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA)". T2T.ro (in Romanian). 3 December 2015.
  24. IATA Clearing House Members List
  25. "YR-BMH". www.jetphotos.com. 5 April 2017.
  26. airlinegeeks.com - Blue Air Boosts Liverpool Partnership With Special Paint Scheme 4 March 2017
  27. Blue Air Moravia
  28. "Romania's largest airline Blue Air becomes joint venture, changes name to Blue Air Aviation". Business Review. 9 August 2018.
  29. "Civil Aviation Group takes over Air Moldova for 50 mln Moldovan lei". Agerpres. 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  30. aerotelegraph.com (German) 7 July 2020
  31. "Blue Air adds one more Boeing 737-800ng to its fleet". boardingpass.ro. 6 November 2020.
  32. aerotelegraph.com (German) 9 September 2022
  33. aerotelegraph.com - Blue Air delays restart to October (German) 12 September 2022
  34. ch-aviation.com - Romania's Blue Air removes all flights from sale 30 September 2022
  35. ch-aviation.com - Poland's LOT adds ex-Blue Air B737-8s as interim solution 6 October 2022
  36. airliners.de (German) 21 November 2022
  37. ch-aviation.com - Romania’s Blue Air loses US investor, debts may top €250mn 23 January 2023
  38. "10 ani de Blue Air. Compania închide anul 2014 pe profit şi cu afaceri de 150 de milioane de euro". Economica.net (in Romanian). 10 December 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  39. "Blue Air Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
  40. "O companie aeriană din România e în top cinci mondial al operatorilor low-cost cu cele mai vechi avioane". 21 January 2014.
  41. Aproape 3.6 milioane pasageri au ales Blue Air in 2016 , Aeronews.ro, Retrieved on 27 January 2017
  42. "Blue Air Aviation SA". Romanian Companies. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  43. "Blue Air atacă ANPC după amendă cu acuzații șoc - Nu suntem dispuși să dăm nici ceasuri, nici procente din sumă!".
  44. "Închiderea aeroportului Băneasa dezvăluie o comoară imobiliară de un miliard de euro" (in Romanian). Ziarul Financiar. 5 March 2012.
  45. "Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map".
  46. boardingpass.ro - RUTE AERIENEBlue Air anunță 12 rute noi care vor fi operate din Cluj Napoca în 2021 (Romanian) 21 October 2020
  47. seenews.com - Romania's Blue Air to station second aircraft at Turin base in Sept 11 August 2020
  48. "LJLA to become Blue Air's latest European base bringing more flights, more international visitors and more jobs at LJLA". Liverpool Airport.
  49. centreforaviation.com - Romania aviation Part 3: Blue Air opens Liverpool base and creates new markets; TAROM feels the heat 21 November 2016
  50. "Compania aeriană românească Blue Air a depăşit pragul de 5 milioane de pasageri".
  51. "Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map".
  52. "Cagliari, nuova continuità territoriale al via: In vendita i biglietti per Roma e Milano". 28 January 2019.
  53. "Compania aeriană românească Blue Air a depăşit pragul de 5 milioane de pasageri" (in Romanian). Ziarul Financiar. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  54. boardingpass.ro - RUTE AERIENEOficial: Blue Air închide în 15 septembrie 2020 baza din Larnaca (Romanian) 3 September 2020
  55. ch-aviation.com - Romania's Blue Air axes Iasi base; to relocate Euro ops 17 November 2020
  56. boardingpass.ro - Blue Air planifică 14 rute noi din Iași pentru vara anului 2023 (Romanian) 12 August 2022
  57. flyblueair.com - Charters retrieved 1 October 2022
  58. newsroom.aviator.aero - Cyprus Airways and Blue Air Launch code-share partnership 28 November 2018
  59. "Blue Air – Fleet". www.blueairweb.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.

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