Avia Solutions to buy freighter operator Bluebird Nordic
29 / 01 / 2020
Avia Solutions Group, which owns UK broker Chapman Freeborn and freighter operator Magma Aviation, is to acquire 100% of cargo carrier Bluebird Nordic and so step into the narrow-body ACMI cargo business.
According to the Cirium database, Iceland-headquartered Bluebird Nordic, founded in 1999, operates one B737-300SF and four B737-400SFs.
Gediminas Ziemelis, founder and chairman of the board of directors of Avia Solutions Group said: “With this new acquisition, Avia Solutions Group steps into the narrow-body ACMI cargo business. Being the biggest passenger ACMI group with one of the largest corporate airline in Europe, we were actually missing cargo operations.
“Differently from long-haul wide-body cargo business, narrow-body demand is growing fast, driven by electronic trade and others. Today, we own seven AOCs in various countries and our plan is to achieve synergy between pilots pool, maintenance and lease costs”.
Avia Solutions added in a statement “Bluebird Nordic uses a fleet of six aircraft and operates scheduled as well as charter flights under its own brand.
“The airline also offers cargo export and import services from and to Iceland, serving more than 100 locations worldwide.”
Steinn Logi Björnsson, managing director of Bluebird Nordic, said: “We are happy that Bluebird is now a member of Avia Solutions Group and look forward to working with the new owners to grow and strengthen the company.
“We are certain that the company, its employees and customers will feel the benefits of belonging to such a strong aviation industry player.”
As a part of Avia Solutions Group, Bluebird Nordic – acquired from BB Holding for an undisclosed sum – is expected to “develop further, expand its existing service portfolio and improve its operation”.
Avia Solutions Group completed the acquisition of charter broker Chapman Freeborn in October 2019. Terms have not been disclosed.
It was stated that Chapman Freeborn will maintain its existing product portfolio and continue to operate under the group’s existing brands – including subsidiaries Chapman Freeborn Airchartering, Chapman Freeborn OBC, Intradco Cargo Services, Logik Logistics, Magma Aviation, and Wings 24.
Magma Aviation states on its website that it operates B737-400F and B747-400BCF aircraft.
