WestAir Sweden acquire Atlantic Airlines
What deal?
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: London
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
News confirmed
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: London
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Atlantic Airlines and West Air merge
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Out of a suitcase
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hmm, doesn`t seem like the 2 UK guys will be around for long-if past experience is anything to go by.
Any news yet on the proposed redundancies? A friend of mine in Westair Lux seems to think all Uk based crews at risk due to heavy unionisation on the continent.
My best wishes to all those involved, but just a thought for the management. If one of the previous posts is correct and time served in the company does not count when drawing up redundancy criteria, then surely it will speed up the exit of those that are selected to remain as there is no security that length of service used to provide. Might just be a bit short sighted?
There are jobs out there and one of Atlantics captains is joining us in the private jet market ( the second in about 4 months).
GB
Any news yet on the proposed redundancies? A friend of mine in Westair Lux seems to think all Uk based crews at risk due to heavy unionisation on the continent.
My best wishes to all those involved, but just a thought for the management. If one of the previous posts is correct and time served in the company does not count when drawing up redundancy criteria, then surely it will speed up the exit of those that are selected to remain as there is no security that length of service used to provide. Might just be a bit short sighted?
There are jobs out there and one of Atlantics captains is joining us in the private jet market ( the second in about 4 months).
GB
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: malta
Age: 63
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SWEDEN’S WEST AIR EUROPE AND UK’s ATLANTIC AIRLINES WILL MERGE TO FORM EUROPE’S LARGEST REGIONAL AIR CARGO CARRIER
West Air Europe of Gothenburg (Sweden) and Atlantic Airlines of Coventry (UK) – two of Europe’s most experienced regional air cargo airlines – are to merge to form West Atlantic, creating Europe’s largest all cargo regional carrier.
The owners of both privately-owned companies will exchange shareholdings to create the new entity, which will have its administrative headquarters in Gothenburg. West Atlantic will have a combined annual turnover of some €125 million, will employ some 500 people, and have a fleet of 41 BAE Systems 8-tonne ATP Freighters, one ATR-72 also of 8-tonne capacity, six 15-tonne Lockheed Electra and two 7-tonne capacity Bombardier CRJ200PF.
The board of West Atlantic consists of:
Chairman Göran Berglund Chief Executive Officer Gustaf Thureborn Managing Director Tony Auld Sales & Operations Director Russell Ladkin Non-Executive Director Jörgen Arnemar
Atlantic Airlines, West Air Sweden and West Air Luxembourg of the West Air Europe holding company will continue to trade separately as at present, although under the merged ownership certain key services such as maintenance will be organised centrally.
The airlines are independently very solid and although operating exclusively in the European feeder air cargo sector, they are nevertheless very complementary. The West Air Europe airlines are very strong in the Scandinavian postal markets, whilst Atlantic Airlines matches this strength in the UK postal sector and the containerised conveyance of cargo. Both sets of airlines already work extensively for the Integrator & Express sector, but with different customers.
Announcing the formation of West Atlantic today, Gustaf Thureborn said: “We have joined forces to create this major new business as we wish to be the finest provider of efficient, cost-effective and reliable regional cargo airline services in Europe. Whilst the merger will create opportunities for spreading our risks and achieving efficiencies through economies of scale, we look forward to becoming an even more effective and reliable supplier to our customers.”
Russell Ladkin, Sales & Operations Director, added that the total focus on the regional airfreight market in Europe would continue. He said: “We are enjoying complementary strengths in the management team and are very fortunate to have the quality of staff needed to achieve our objectives.”
Apart from its Gothenburg headquarters, West Atlantic will continue to operate from its overhaul and maintenance facility in Sweden, the recently-acquired European Aviation Maintenance at Ronaldsway on the Isle of Man and the Coventry base where Atlantic Airlines has its operations and maintenance facility.
Both sets of airlines have been in business for many years and have great expertise in the European regional freight market. Atlantic Airlines was an MBO from the Air Atlantique Group itself established in 1969. West Air Sweden started flying in 1962, commenced cargo operations in 1991 and undertook a major expansion into Swedish overnight mail services in 1996 and similarly in Norway in 2006. West Air Luxembourg commenced operations in 2003 and operates nine of the West Air Europe aircraft, mainly on integrator contracts.
West Air Europe of Gothenburg (Sweden) and Atlantic Airlines of Coventry (UK) – two of Europe’s most experienced regional air cargo airlines – are to merge to form West Atlantic, creating Europe’s largest all cargo regional carrier.
The owners of both privately-owned companies will exchange shareholdings to create the new entity, which will have its administrative headquarters in Gothenburg. West Atlantic will have a combined annual turnover of some €125 million, will employ some 500 people, and have a fleet of 41 BAE Systems 8-tonne ATP Freighters, one ATR-72 also of 8-tonne capacity, six 15-tonne Lockheed Electra and two 7-tonne capacity Bombardier CRJ200PF.
The board of West Atlantic consists of:
Chairman Göran Berglund Chief Executive Officer Gustaf Thureborn Managing Director Tony Auld Sales & Operations Director Russell Ladkin Non-Executive Director Jörgen Arnemar
Atlantic Airlines, West Air Sweden and West Air Luxembourg of the West Air Europe holding company will continue to trade separately as at present, although under the merged ownership certain key services such as maintenance will be organised centrally.
The airlines are independently very solid and although operating exclusively in the European feeder air cargo sector, they are nevertheless very complementary. The West Air Europe airlines are very strong in the Scandinavian postal markets, whilst Atlantic Airlines matches this strength in the UK postal sector and the containerised conveyance of cargo. Both sets of airlines already work extensively for the Integrator & Express sector, but with different customers.
Announcing the formation of West Atlantic today, Gustaf Thureborn said: “We have joined forces to create this major new business as we wish to be the finest provider of efficient, cost-effective and reliable regional cargo airline services in Europe. Whilst the merger will create opportunities for spreading our risks and achieving efficiencies through economies of scale, we look forward to becoming an even more effective and reliable supplier to our customers.”
Russell Ladkin, Sales & Operations Director, added that the total focus on the regional airfreight market in Europe would continue. He said: “We are enjoying complementary strengths in the management team and are very fortunate to have the quality of staff needed to achieve our objectives.”
Apart from its Gothenburg headquarters, West Atlantic will continue to operate from its overhaul and maintenance facility in Sweden, the recently-acquired European Aviation Maintenance at Ronaldsway on the Isle of Man and the Coventry base where Atlantic Airlines has its operations and maintenance facility.
Both sets of airlines have been in business for many years and have great expertise in the European regional freight market. Atlantic Airlines was an MBO from the Air Atlantique Group itself established in 1969. West Air Sweden started flying in 1962, commenced cargo operations in 1991 and undertook a major expansion into Swedish overnight mail services in 1996 and similarly in Norway in 2006. West Air Luxembourg commenced operations in 2003 and operates nine of the West Air Europe aircraft, mainly on integrator contracts.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: uk
Age: 15
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found out from a ramp loader! Checked the Internet and found a picture of our management shaking hands with two Swedish blokes.
Is this the same staff you can't even be bothered to inform? It's nice to feel valued! Like straightnotlevel said THANKS VERY MUCH........
Russell Ladkin, Sales & Operations Director, added that the total focus on the regional airfreight market in Europe would continue. He said: “We are enjoying complementary strengths in the management team and are very fortunate to have the quality of staff needed to achieve our objectives.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Europe
Age: 46
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
...very fortunate to have the quality of staff needed to achieve our objectives???
Thanks a lot Russell and Tony - very nice of you to let us find out in the pub, on the internet and from ramp guys.
AND... on the same day that you had 9 pilots lined up in the boardroom for the big redundancy charade. Good times, eh!?
More importantly though, we mustn't forget to thank Jake for his preselection of the lucky 9.
Quality of staff you say? Good to see you treating them well!
Morale is now officially at an all time high, woo-hoo!
We're so grateful.
SiPsss
AND... on the same day that you had 9 pilots lined up in the boardroom for the big redundancy charade. Good times, eh!?
More importantly though, we mustn't forget to thank Jake for his preselection of the lucky 9.
Quality of staff you say? Good to see you treating them well!
Morale is now officially at an all time high, woo-hoo!
We're so grateful.
SiPsss
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Before I post, I want to clarify that I have no interest in either airline, nor am I a customer or service provider. My interest in Atlantic(que) started with the DC3. Enough said. Am an airplane guy. I lived nearby.
As the voice of neutrality I would suggest that this is the best solution for all. Best solution overall...and recent economic issues make it airtight.
There are only so many ATP's in the world. Combining the whole fleet allows network rotation through the maintenance facility and let's not forget that without the An derivatives in Europe, the ATP is now the best a/c in Europe in its payload/range bracket. The position of the fleet is now very strong as integrators look to remove cost from their networks from 21t jets to 7-8t routes by air, carrying the premium express product. No competitive pricing to face.
Integrators are now reviewing their networks, facing decreasing volumes by air. With the association of forwarders they now have access to huge volumes overall and huge trucking networks. In the current climate there are trucking routes that will work but there are also routes and service delivery that can be only be met by air...and not with a B7.... but with an ATP.
Disregard the doom about sentiment and look forward to the real possibilty that this group becomes the dominant force in European short-haul integrator volume in the next decade.
As the voice of neutrality I would suggest that this is the best solution for all. Best solution overall...and recent economic issues make it airtight.
There are only so many ATP's in the world. Combining the whole fleet allows network rotation through the maintenance facility and let's not forget that without the An derivatives in Europe, the ATP is now the best a/c in Europe in its payload/range bracket. The position of the fleet is now very strong as integrators look to remove cost from their networks from 21t jets to 7-8t routes by air, carrying the premium express product. No competitive pricing to face.
Integrators are now reviewing their networks, facing decreasing volumes by air. With the association of forwarders they now have access to huge volumes overall and huge trucking networks. In the current climate there are trucking routes that will work but there are also routes and service delivery that can be only be met by air...and not with a B7.... but with an ATP.
Disregard the doom about sentiment and look forward to the real possibilty that this group becomes the dominant force in European short-haul integrator volume in the next decade.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Europe
Age: 46
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fascinating, but are you on the right forum??
Greuzi
How wonderful of you to drop by with your cute little light-hearted airline economics lecture.
It's lovely to know that the voice of neutrality lived nearby with all those fluffy, white, cuddly notions of payload/range-bracket-integrator-premium-express-DC3-rotating-maintenance-trucker-thingies.
I now feel it my duty to take your advice, putting doom and sentiment to one side, and to ask this question:-
Did your abacus/spreadsheet/calculator not tell you that the airplanes need pilots to fly them?
Doh! Beancounters!
SiPsss
How wonderful of you to drop by with your cute little light-hearted airline economics lecture.
It's lovely to know that the voice of neutrality lived nearby with all those fluffy, white, cuddly notions of payload/range-bracket-integrator-premium-express-DC3-rotating-maintenance-trucker-thingies.
I now feel it my duty to take your advice, putting doom and sentiment to one side, and to ask this question:-
Did your abacus/spreadsheet/calculator not tell you that the airplanes need pilots to fly them?
Doh! Beancounters!
SiPsss
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mr grumpy snake thing. Really am totally neutral. Is up to you if you use your doubt to leverage your anger.
If you want L-188's then buy them and make it work. The type doesn't work economically. They would have gone 10 years ago if your management hadn't done such a good job over the years.
Three questions?
1. Are you still employed by Atlantic and have an interest?
2. Do you agree with the strategy or not? If not, what is your solution?
3. How would you place the ATP's in the marketplace? Charter only? Schedules only? Mix?
Answers in your next message?
If you want L-188's then buy them and make it work. The type doesn't work economically. They would have gone 10 years ago if your management hadn't done such a good job over the years.
Three questions?
1. Are you still employed by Atlantic and have an interest?
2. Do you agree with the strategy or not? If not, what is your solution?
3. How would you place the ATP's in the marketplace? Charter only? Schedules only? Mix?
Answers in your next message?
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Europe
Age: 46
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Greuzi
So it was just management that made it work, eh? No pilots involved?
You seem to forget the dedicated and very skilled guys sitting at the front of these machines - and the geniuses of engineering who maintain them.
My Electra colleagues are losing their jobs under VERY dodgy circumstances here at Atlantic, so you'll have to excuse my anger. And, as you have probably guessed by now, I am NOT here to discuss ATP strategy.
Perhaps you should go back to the press release and see that the merger includes SIX Lockheed Electras - you say they "don't work economically"! What nonsense!
Regarding management, one thing is certain after this merger - the UK side won't last long unless they ditch the xenophobia and get a grip on what it means to be a professional.
SiPsss
If you want L-188's then buy them and make it work. The type doesn't work economically. They would have gone 10 years ago if your management hadn't done such a good job over the years.
You seem to forget the dedicated and very skilled guys sitting at the front of these machines - and the geniuses of engineering who maintain them.
My Electra colleagues are losing their jobs under VERY dodgy circumstances here at Atlantic, so you'll have to excuse my anger. And, as you have probably guessed by now, I am NOT here to discuss ATP strategy.
Perhaps you should go back to the press release and see that the merger includes SIX Lockheed Electras - you say they "don't work economically"! What nonsense!
Regarding management, one thing is certain after this merger - the UK side won't last long unless they ditch the xenophobia and get a grip on what it means to be a professional.
SiPsss
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
pre-selected 9
have 9 guys got the axe for sure then??
sad indeed if true.....
maybe crews will be keener to join BALPA after recent events, ready for next time??
how many going on the engineering side? ops? and the long suffering fugs??
any managers been axed i wonder?
sad indeed if true.....
maybe crews will be keener to join BALPA after recent events, ready for next time??
how many going on the engineering side? ops? and the long suffering fugs??
any managers been axed i wonder?
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: The Radio Rack
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Censorship - somebody is getting sensitive here!
My mum says that my dad says he'll stop anyone posting things he doesn't like here! 
Apparently, one of our more vocal contributors has had his posts blocked for 'moderator approval'.
Mods: is there something going on?
LS
Apparently, one of our more vocal contributors has had his posts blocked for 'moderator approval'.
Mods: is there something going on?
LS
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Behind a computer screen
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Snakes, I whole- heartedly agree with your comment about the engineers and pilots doing a fantastic job on getting the machines around the sky, but IMHO Greuzi has a point; management have done a fantastic job in employing crew and engineers who get the job done. Engineering, crewing, ops and have seemingly always been understaffed, but they've kept the ship afloat. So from managements POV, why employ more?
Little Snake, just don't make any comments on Facebook!
h
Little Snake, just don't make any comments on Facebook!
h
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Coventry
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'My mum says that my dad says he'll stop anyone posting things he doesn't like here'
She also said "get back down that hole LS otherwise you won't grow up to be a Big Snake!"
She also said "get back down that hole LS otherwise you won't grow up to be a Big Snake!"