JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
Swedish start-up eyes Finland following Buzz's withdrawal from Helsinki in March
Swedish low-fare start-up Goodjet is preparing to almost double its route network in the next few months and expand its Airbus A320 fleet to six aircraft.
The "virtual" airline, which uses the air operator's certificate of charter lessor Transair Sweden, launched operations in April with services from Stockholm to Nice and Paris. Initial services were flown from Stockholm's Arlanda and Skavsta airports, but all Stockholm services will move to Arlanda by the end of October as it prepares to launch domestic routes. Flights are also operated from Gothenburg and Malm".
Goodjet serves eight international routes with three 180-seat A320s and is scheduled to introduce its fourth this week, an ex-Virgin Sun aircraft leased from Virgin Atlantic. Transair, which itself was set up earlier this year, operates the A320s under an aircraft, crew maintenance and insurance (ACMI) basis. It is close to completing a deal for an additional two A320s which it will operate on behalf of Goodjet.
Goodjet will introduce services from its three Swedish bases to Alicante, Spain, in October, and will operate 14 routes by the fourth quarter. The carrier plans to use the new A320s to launch a network of domestic services by early next year, including between Gothenburg, Malm" and Stockholm as well as to other Swedish destinations. It is also considering starting services in neighbouring countries. The privately owned company is seeking investors to fund its rapid growth.
Finland is the likely first move after Sweden, according to Goodjet managing director Reidar Svedahl, as the departure of Buzz's service from Helsinki in March has left the country with no low-cost service.
Source: Flight International
