Icelandic tourism gains the WOW factor - new Icelandic carrier launches June 2012
Thursday, 16 February 2012 11:44
Icelandic tourism gains the WOW factor - new Icelandic carrier launches June 2012
Booming tourism from the UK to Iceland is set for a further boost this summer with the launch of a new airline creating an additional route from London.WOW Air will start flying from London-Stansted to Iceland’s main airport at Keflavik three times a week from June 1. An introductory price of £69 each way is valid for flights booked before midnight on Friday 24 February, with travel taken between June and September. All fares include taxes and a baggage allowance of 20kg per passenger.
The new airline, operating two 168-seat Airbus A320s, will also launch flights to Iceland from 11 other European cities, including Copenhagen, Warsaw, Krakow, Berlin, Stuttgart, Cologne, Zurich, Basle, Paris, Lyon and Alicante.
WOW Air was founded in 2011 by Icelandic investors Skuli Mogensen and Baldur Baldursson. Matthias Imsland, is also on the board of directors.
Aiming to increase its frequency within the first year of operation, WOW Air is leasing its aircraft from Avion Express. They will operate with a 31 to 32-inch seat pitch.
Baldur Baldursson, CEO of WOW Air comments: “We are aware that it is a brave move to launch a new airline in the present economic climate but have spotted an obvious gap in the market for low-cost flight options from Iceland to a number of European cities.
‘We have extensive experience in the Icelandic tourism market and have ambitious plans for the airline - including an increase in frequency to London in the spring of 2013.”
Just three hours from the UK, Iceland’s tourist industry is currently booming with a 12 per cent increase in UK tourists in 2011, compared to 2010. The first month of 2012 also showed a huge 53.7 per cent increase in UK visitor numbers, most rushing to the country to witness the best Northern Lights displays for over 50 years.
