Ascend Airways - ex Synergy

[Buster the Bear]

Synergy of Fairoaks, bought by Avia Solutions for their AOC and will change the name to Ascend Airways and operate 180-200 seater airliners.

The Irish-based Avia Solutions Group with a fleet of 180 aircraft, is the parent company to SmartLynx Airlines, Avion Express, Bluebird Nordic, KlasJet, and Magma Aviation.

https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/avia-solutions-group-expands-in-uk-by-acquiring-uk-airline

[G-AZUK]

Synergy of Fairoaks, bought by Avia Solutions for their AOC and will change the name to Ascend Airways and operate 180-200 seater airliners.

The Irish-based Avia Solutions Group with a fleet of 180 aircraft, is the parent company to SmartLynx Airlines, Avion Express, Bluebird Nordic, KlasJet, and Magma Aviation.

https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/avia-solutions-group-expands-in-uk-by-acquiring-uk-airline

no doubt targetting a lot of former Titan ACMI/Charter business.....

[jmdavies86]

...will change the name to Ascend Airways and operate 180-200 seater airliners.

They'll also need to change to a Type A Operating Licence as Synergy currently has a Type B, which only permits it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with fewer than 20 seats and/or weighing less than 10 tonnes.

[SWBKCB]

From the linked article:

According to Alastair Willson, who will take over the company’s management and development of Avia Solutions Group’s Charter and ACMI business in the UK, establishing a local AOC will benefit UK airlines, charter customers and consumers.

“Our immediate focus is on working with the UK CAA to obtain a Type A Operating License, which shall enable us to offer ACMI and Charter services with 180 to 200-seat capacity aircraft by the end of the year. Our aim is then to offer UK customers locally based aircraft and crews to provide a more flexible and reliable service, minimising operational disruptions,” he said.

[BA318]

From the linked article:
would that be Alistair formally of Titan Airways?

[fjencl]

Our aim is then to offer UK customers locally based aircraft and crews to provide a more flexible and reliable service, minimising operational disruptions,” he said.

Be interesting to see where the base the "locally based aircraft"

[Buster the Bear]

Our aim is then to offer UK customers locally based aircraft and crews to provide a more flexible and reliable service, minimising operational disruptions,” he said.

Be interesting to see where the base the "locally based aircraft"

Where ever the customer demands them.

[jmdavies86]

Ascend are now recruiting for Boeing 737-NG and MAX pilots to be based at LGW:

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3714212853/?refId=U0SoOu3IqUvDppRUzOU0Rg%3D%3D&trackingId=U0SoOu3IqUvDppRUzOU0Rg%3D%3D

[Expressflight]

Their first aircraft is B738 G-HODL ex LY-BUS and their website states that aircraft will be stationed at LGW and SEN. Previously they has indicated only that LGW would be their base. I understand that initial crew training will be carried out at SEN.

[CWL757]

I hope they are successful. I feel the UK needs a decent ACMI operator, Titan seems a bit all over the shop and seems to be focusing on Cargo more lately, surprised they're still in business to be honest, but am very glad they are.

Lots of demand for ACMI from BY, LS occasionally BA.

[vectisman]

I hope they are successful. I feel the UK needs a decent ACMI operator, Titan seems a bit all over the shop and seems to be focusing on Cargo more lately, surprised they're still in business to be honest, but am very glad they are.

Lots of demand for ACMI from BY, LS occasionally BA.

Rather a wide of the mark comment about Titan. It has long standing contracts with BY and LS as well as lucrative contracts with specialist tour companies and many corporate clients. They also operate to Banjul twice weekly during the winter months.Their aircraft are always busy. Cargo wise in the U.K. they operate one widebody for GEODIS and freighter A321 in their own right. Their Malta based subsidiary operates both passenger and charter flights.

[SWBKCB]

As well as operating for the UK Government, and Santa in the winter!

[Expressflight]

Their first B738 G-HODL was due to depart PIK tomorrow morning to EMA, under a training flight number, but this has been cancelled.

[Expressflight]

G-HODL is now on its way to EMA for, presumably, some crew training. Nice to see another milestone achieved by the company.

[Albert Hall]

Presumably an airline run by Spurs fans with a registration like that for their first aircraft?

[Balair]

Looks like it is heading for Airbourne Colours

[Cautious Optimist]

Anyone know what will become of Synergy? Just shut down I'm guessing?

[OzzyOzBorn]

Presumably an airline run by Spurs fans with a registration like that for their first aircraft?

HODL is a term used by dedicated advocates of Bitcoin. It stands for Hold On for Dear Life.

[PIKAviationTours]

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7161378811761049603?updateEntityUrn=urn%3Ali %3Afs_feedUpdate%3A%28V2%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A71613788117 61049603%29

[jmdavies86]

Anyone know what will become of Synergy? Just shut down I'm guessing?

Synergy primarily offer private charter flights and have a number of aircraft listed on the Fleet (https://www.synergyaviation.com/fleet/) page of their website; I'm not sure if these are actually owned outright by themselves or whether they are just managed by Synergy on behalf of their respective owners, however I suspect that this element of the business will still continue unchanged - Avia Solutions merely bought them for their AOC, which they're obviously in the process of upgrading to a Type A now that they've got their first B738.

[azz767]

With one B737-800 and one MAX8 in the fleet that will be flying for TUI this summer, does anyone know if there are more aircraft due for ascend?

[SWBKCB]

With G-HODL and G-WEAH - do we have a very confused football fan in charge? :confused:

[UnderASouthernSky]

With G-HODL and G-WEAH - do we have a very confused football fan in charge? :confused:

Who's taking bets for future aircraft registrations?

I'm going for G-HRST and G-COHN

[GrahamK]

Who's taking bets for future aircraft registrations?

I'm going for G-HRST and G-COHN
G-AZZA?

[DC3 Dave]

Who's taking bets for future aircraft registrations?

I'm going for G-HRST and G-COHN

G-BEST

[AircraftOperations]

G-LNKR

[Just Plane Mad]

Are they any near to flying? Seems the AOC of course is in place as it's ex Synergy but the OL required ? Is this holding them up?

[ATNotts]

As a non-footie person I get most of the speculative reggies, but what is the football relevance of G-WEAH?

[SWBKCB]

As a non-footie person I get most of the speculative reggies, but what is the football relevance of G-WEAH?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Weah

[ATNotts]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Weah
Never heard of him! Mind you I was pretty happy knowing the others, speaks volumes about my football knowledge. Suffice to say it wouldn't be my specialist subject on Mastermind!

[Expressflight]

I see that Synergy Aviation (now renamed as Ascend Airways) have recently obtained the necessary upgrade of their AOC to enable Ascend Airways to commence B738 operations.

[colinhunn]

G-HODL currently parked at Norwich after being ferried from Cardiff yesterday.

[DC3 Dave]

Additional information from Ascend website.

We will now focus on repaying the faith of our launch customer and establishing our sister company, Ascend Airways Malaysia. Our aim is to move our capacity seasonally between UK and Malaysia to access the growing South-East Asian market and maintain year-round utilisation, says Alastair Willson, the CEO of Ascend Airways.

[DuncanDoenitz]

Only just noticed this story. Ascend Airways? Seriously?

As in "Ascend of nowhere"? Or maybe "This company needs rebranding badly".

[sparkie320]

G-HODL currently parked at Norwich after being ferried from Cardiff yesterday.
entered paint after Transavia left
high winds was a issue

[colinhunn]

entered paint after Transavia left
high winds was a issue
Assume for Tui decals prior to subbing this Summer

[amyisraelchai]

Assume for Tui decals prior to subbing this Summer
I believe it's having a full white repaint like G-WEAH did a few weeks prior.

[END BAG]

Saw G-HODL at East Midlands today and it looked all white with no titles

[SWBKCB]

G-HODL is/was all white with pale blue engines, no titles. G-WEAH was in basic Corendon colours with not tiles, and is now all white

https://www.flickr.com/photos/swbkcb/53591715427/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/swbkcb/53591925548/

[Expressflight]

Looks like Ascend operated their first charter this afternoon. G-HODL operated a football related SEN-HUY flight.

[pabely]

Looks like Ascend operated their first charter this afternoon. G-HODL operated a football related SEN-HUY flight.
Ipswich Town playing Hull?

[DC3 Dave]

Ipswich Town playing Hull?

Ipswich have used SEN before. I wish them luck as they attempt to replace Luton in the Premier League (Sorry, I gave way to temptation).

I also wish Ascend nothing but the best, however, I am not sure it says much for the green credentials of either party.

[ATNotts]

Ipswich have used SEN before. I wish them luck as they attempt to replace Luton in the Premier League (Sorry, I gave way to temptation).

I also wish Ascend nothing but the best, however, I am not sure it says much for the green credentials of either party.
The Premier League has an opt out on green credentials! Whatever happened to the team coach? (I know, Ipswich aren't in the Premier League yet).

[SWBKCB]

The Premier League has an opt out on green credentials! Whatever happened to the team coach? (I know, Ipswich aren't in the Premier League yet).

The team coach goes ahead of the plane and takes you to/from the airport to the hotel/ground.

[ATNotts]

The team coach goes ahead of the plane and takes you to/from the airport to the hotel/ground.
Never used to happen, teams used to travel by coach. Too many overpaid primadonas I guess!

[SWBKCB]

Never used to happen, teams used to travel by coach. Too many overpaid primadonas I guess!

And in the good old days there'd be crates of beer on the coach and they'd stop for fish and chips. They don't play on pitches that look like beaches either.

Things change - it's about performance, five or six hours on a coach isn't great for professional athletes. Nowt to do with pay or prima donna's

[DC3 Dave]

And in the good old days there'd be crates of beer on the coach and they'd stop for fish and chips. They don't play on pitches that look like beaches either.

Things change - it's about performance, five or six hours on a coach isn't great for professional athletes. Nowt to do with pay or prima donna's

Personally, I have no issue with any football club than seeks to gain any advantage they can by flying, neither do I have a problem with a new airline that presumably (G-HODL, G-WEAH) is seeking opportunities in this area. But both of you. Stop banging on about being green. It really grates.

[SWBKCB]

Wasn't aware that I was :ok:

[compton3bravo]

Two other examples - Brentford flew to Liverpool yesterday from Luton in an Eastern ATR returning later this evening and Leeds flew back from Luton late on Friday night back to Leeds/Bradford in an 2excel B737. Main reason I gather is security - cannot having very expensive footballers travelling up and down on motorways in a coach!

[UnderASouthernSky]

Two other examples - Brentford flew to Liverpool yesterday from Luton in an Eastern ATR returning later this evening and Leeds flew back from Luton late on Friday night back to Leeds/Bradford in an 2excel B737. Main reason I gather is security - cannot having very expensive footballers travelling up and down on motorways in a coach!

It's more for player performance by reducing travelling times - and flying (and taking the train on well served high speed routes) generally means a more predictable travel experience.