Blue Air was[4] a Romanianlow-cost airline headquartered in Bucharest,[9] with its former hub at Henri Coandă International Airport.[10] It was the largest Romanian airline by scheduled passengers flown.[11] In 2017, Blue Air carried over 5 million passengers, a 40% increase over the 3.6 million passengers flown the previous year.[12] As of September 2022, Blue Air served 75 scheduled destinations in 21 countries.[3][7]
Blue Air was forced to suspend all operations on 6 September 2022[1][2] and has not resumed any flight since.[13] As of November 2022, its license had also been suspended[14] 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,[15] 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.[16]
On 12 April 2013, Blue Air's management announced that the airline was for sale.[17] 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.[18] In 2015, Blue Air reported a net profit of EUR 6 million, contrasting to the company's loss of EUR 400,000 in 2014.[19]
The airline transported 1.5 million passengers in 2014, an increase from the 1.35 million passengers in 2013.[20] In 2015, the airline transported for the first time more than 2 million passengers.[21] With a total of 25 new routes announced for 2016, the airline forecasts carrying close to three million passengers in 2016.[22]
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).[26] 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.[27]
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,[28] 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.[29] 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).[30]
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.[31]
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.[32]
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.[33] 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.[34] On 30 September 2022, the airline removed its entire route network from sale.[35] Shortly after, all five of the airline's Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft were relocated to LOT Polish Airlines by their lessor.[36] As of October 2022, Blue Air did not plan to resume operations earlier than late 2022.[13]
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.[37] During the same time, the airline's operational license has been suspended, but not revoked.[14]
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.[38]
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.[45] 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:
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.[58]
As of January 2023, after significantly downsizing its numbers, the Blue Air fleet consisted of the following aircraft prior to ceasing operations:[60][6]
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