Atlantic Airways recently announced it will be launching flights between the Faroe Islands and London. The airline will offer seasonal service to London Gatwick between 23 June and 11 August - just in time for the summer holiday peak season.
Atlantic Airways, the official carrier of the Faroe Islands, has just announced it will be operating a new service to London Gatwick over the summer. Beginning on 23 June, Atlantic Airlines will operate flights every Tuesday to the UK Capital’s second-busiest airport. These flights will continue through the summer holiday period until 11 August.
According to reports by Routes Online, Atlantic Airways will operate its Vágar to London Gatwick service using its Airbus A320neo. Tickets will be available for purchase on Atlantic Airways’ website from 26 February. Prices for a one-way ticket start at £85 (US$110).
The Faroe Islands’ 'national' airline
The Faroe Islands are a small archipelago of islands situated roughly halfway between the UK and Iceland. The islands are actually a self-governing territory of Denmark, with their own legislative systems and, of course, their own airline.
Atlantic Airways was established back in 1987 to provide a much-needed air transport link between the Faroe Islands and mainland Europe. The airline is based at Vágar Airport, the Faroe Islands’ only airport. The only airline other than Atlantic Airways to fly to Vágar Airport is SAS.
Small islands, small fleet
As you’d probably expect from the national airline of a territory home to just over 50,000 people, Atlantic Airlines is tiny. The airline’s current fleet consists of just three aircraft: an Airbus A319-100, an Airbus A320-200 and an Airbus A320neo.
Despite its small size, Atlantic Airlines’ fleet is young. The oldest of its three aircraft, the Airbus A319, is just eight years old. Atlantic Airways’ Airbus A320 is 3 years old, whilst its Airbus A320neo was delivered just seven months ago.
The Airbus A320neo, registered OY-RCK, is the first of three Airbus A320neos Atlantic Airways is set to receive on lease from Air Lease Corp. The airline has chosen an all-economy cabin layout which will feature 174 seats. Thanks to the greater fuel efficiency offered by the Airbus A320neo, Atlantic Airways should be able to start expanding its route-offering a bit further afield. The carrier has even suggested that it is considering running flights to an airport serving New York City, although as of now, nothing seems to have come of this plan.
Tourism in the Faroe Islands
Although they’re small and a bit out of the way, the Faroe Islands are actually a very popular destination for tourists traveling from across Europe. According to the Faroe Islands’ official website, 60,000 tourists visit the islands each year, which means Atlantic Airways already has a significant customer base. Additionally, around 50,000 visitors arrive at the Faroe Islands having traveled via cruise ship.
With the addition of flights to London, the Faroe Islands and Atlantic Airways will be able to welcome even more visitors during the busier summer holiday season.