Air Nostrum facts for kids
Founded | 23 May 1994 |
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AOC # | ES.AOC.002 |
Hubs |
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Frequent-flyer program | Avios |
Alliance | Oneworld (affiliate) |
Fleet size | 42 |
Destinations | 70 |
Parent company | Strategic Alliance of Regional Airlines (SARA) |
Headquarters | Valencia, Valencian Community, Spain |
Revenue | €500 million (2013) |
Employees | 1,500 (2013) |
Website | airnostrum.com |
Air Nostrum, legally incorporated as Air Nostrum Líneas Aéreas del Mediterráneo, S.A., is a Spanish regional airline based in Valencia.
An affiliate member of the Oneworld airline alliance, it operates 91 domestic and international routes to 51 destinations, and charter flights. Its main base is Valencia Airport, with hubs at Barcelona Airport and Madrid–Barajas Airport.
Limited operations are also carried out on behalf of Brussels Airlines, replacing related wet-lease specialist airline CityJet, having begun in late 2018. Air Nostrum is also a part owner of Iryo, a Spanish high-speed rail service which began operating in November 2022.
In October 2023, it was announced that Air Nostrum had completed its merger with CityJet. Furthermore, it was reported that its current shareholders would have controlling interest (80%) of the entity created from the merger, Strategic Alliance of Regional Airlines (SARA).
Contents
History
The airline was established on 23 May 1994 and started operations on 15 December. It used to offer a comprehensive meal service on all scheduled flights.
In early 2008, the airline eliminated its 'regional business class' cabin. The cabin is now split into separate business and economy sections along the lines of other major airlines. Economy passengers can purchase drinks and snacks from an onboard menu.
On February 7, 2012, Air Nostrum presented an ERE (a legal form of workforce reduction and redundancies) that will affect its 1,800 workers for two years, due to the increase in fuel prices and the drop in income. It is estimated that during the two years, 15 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft will be grounded and most of its routes will be abandoned at a loss.
On March 31, 2014, the airline announced the entry into the company's capital of a group of Valencian businessmen with the participation of the then CEO of the company, Carlos Bertomeu, as well as Antonio Pellicer and José Remohí, owners of the IVI, with an estimated capital of 25 million euros, divided between capital and debt.
In September 2017, it filed an application to operate high speed rail services from Madrid Atocha to Gare de Montpellier-Saint-Roch in Southern France from 5 October 2018 with AVE Class 100 trains leased from Renfe Operadora.
On 17 July 2018, Air Nostrum and CityJet of Ireland announced they would merge to form the largest regional airline in Europe, however will remain as separate brands. The merger was completed in 2023.
In June 2022, it was announced that Air Nostrum had placed a reservation on ten Hybrid Air Vehicles Airlander 10 airships. Introduction to service is scheduled for 2026. In August 2023, Air Nostrum doubled their reservation from ten to twenty HAV Airlander 10 aircraft.
Fleet
As of November 2023, the Air Nostrum fleet consists of the following aircraft:
Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
ATR 72-600 | 11 | — | 72 | |
Bombardier CRJ200 | 6 | — | 50 | |
Bombardier CRJ1000 | 25 | — | 100 | |
Airlander 10 | — | 20 | 100 | Launch customer. Deliveries from 2027. |
Total | 42 | 20 |
Incidents and accidents
- On 17 January 2003, an Air Nostrum Fokker 50 overran the runway at Melilla Airport and crashed into the perimeter fence resulting in the aircraft splitting into two major parts. Nine passengers were injured.
- On 24 January 2006, Air Nostrum flight IB 8665 from Valladolid made a belly landing at Barcelona El Prat Airport. Two of the forty passengers sustained minor injuries while disembarking from the aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ200 with registration EC-IBM. The cause was determined by the Comisión de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviación Civil to be pilot error.
See also
In Spanish: Air Nostrum para niños