No take-off yet for proposed new airline

| 04/01/2016 | 3 Comments
Cayman News Service

BlueSky Airlines

(CNS) BlueSky Airlines, which had originally planned to launch last summer, is still looking for planes to lease and is not expected to get off the ground until the second quarter of 2016, almost a year later than planned. Chief Commercial Officer Mark Ellinger said the firm was making progress towards launching scheduled flight operations but it spent 2015 securing its first Bombardier Q400 aircraft required to launch its operations and meet the specifications of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands.

“We have also been busy throughout 2015 establishing new commercial and operational partnerships as well as firming up our sales and distribution channels around the Caribbean and Latin America,” Ellinger said.

When BlueSky announced its planned take-off in Cayman in 2013, the official launch was expected in the summer of 2015 but the company hit some serious turbulence when the firm it planned to lease its aircraft from closed down. However, last week Ellinger said that they would soon sign an MOU with a North American aircraft leasing firm to provide its first two Q400 aircraft.

“Aircraft deliveries are expected to begin by the 2nd quarter of 2016, followed shortly thereafter by the airline’s launch of scheduled flights, subject to receiving all government approvals. Supporting BlueSky Airlines in its ramp-up to launch is Aerotask FZE, a Dubai-based global aviation consultancy firm. Aerotask has been contracted to support BlueSky through the final stages of the regulatory process as well as aircraft acceptance and entry-into-service,” he said.

The airline will announce its initial route schedule in the region and intended launch date early in the New Year.

See related video: Cayman’s newest airline delays launch

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Category: Local Business, Transport

Comments (3)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Biggest joke ever. How many times are we going to hear the same story from this group? Blue Pie in the Sky Airlines.

    • Anonymous says:

      Sadly, I have to agree with you. One thing this planet is not short of is aircraft leasing companies who would have taken this on if it was viable.

      • Anonymous says:

        Have a look on the Aerotask website there latest news re blue sky is implementation date of 2014.
        Probably says it all was a great idea just needed someone who knew what they were doing bit different setting up a multi million pound operation to selling jerk chicken

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