WOW air
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| Founded | November 2011 | ||||||
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| Commenced operations | 31 May 2012 | ||||||
| Operating bases | Keflavík International Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 4 | ||||||
| Destinations | 23 | ||||||
| Headquarters | Reykjavík, Iceland | ||||||
| Key people | Skúli Mogensen (CEO) | ||||||
| Website | www.wowair.com | ||||||
WOW air is an Icelandic low-cost carrier that was founded in November 2011 and describes itself as “the airline with the biggest smile and lowest prices”. The airline operates services to a total of 23 destinations in Europe, the USA, and Canada (starting in May 2016).[1]
History
The airline has grown rapidly, doubling in size since its first year of operation. In 2012, WOW air carried around 90,000 passengers, and in 2013, that number had risen to some 450,000 passengers. It is estimated that for 2014, 720,000 passengers will travel with WOW air. WOW air currently employs around 170 people, most of whom have experience in the tourism and airline industry.[1]
The airline's main base is Keflavík International Airport. Its headquarters are in Reykjavík, Iceland.[2]
In October 2012, WOW air acquired Iceland Express's operations and network. Iceland Express operated to several destinations in Europe and North America utilising leased equipment. At the end of October 2012, following the acquisition of its operations, flights to Gatwick and Copenhagen saw frequency increases, services to Berlin-Schönefeld, Kaunas, Salzburg and Warsaw Chopin had begun. Kaunas has since been dropped, replaced by existing services to Vilnius.[1]
WOW air runs the travel agency WOW travel, which specialises in low-cost holidays both to and from Iceland. The company offers a wide range of destinations, hotels, and tours. WOW regards itself as a holiday guru for Iceland as a destination. The time table is typical for a holiday airline, with many destinations, but a sparse schedule.
Destinations
WOW air mainly serves European cities from Reykjavik-Keflavik airport. Since 2015, WOW air started expanding in North America, serving first the USA, then Canada starting in May 2016. Flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco begin in June 2016.
Investors and management
WOW air was founded by entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen, whose extensive business background is largely in technology and telecoms in Iceland, Europe, and North America. The sole owner of WOW air is Titan, an investment company owned by Mogensen, who is the company CEO and sits on the five-person board of directors.
Fleet
The WOW air fleet includes the following aircraft (as of January 2016):[3]
| Aircraft | In Service | Orders[4] | Passengers | Notes | ||||
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| Airbus A320-200 | 2 | — | 180 | |||||
| Airbus A321-200 | 2 | — | 200 | |||||
| Airbus A330-300 | — | 3 | 342[5] | |||||
| Total | 4 | 3 | ||||||
References
- 1 2 3 "WOW air". anna.aero. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
- ↑ Get in touch - wowiceland.co.uk "WOW air Katrínartún 12, 105 Reykjavík"
- ↑ "Icelandic Aircraft Register". Icelandic Transport Authority. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ↑ "WOW air flies to LA and San Francisco". Iceland Monitor. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
- ↑ "WOW Air to Launch Flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco". Airchive. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
External links
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