German investors plan to revive the Akureyri-based airline Nice Air, which went bankrupt in May 2023. The new owners and representatives of the company presented their plans today at a press conference held at the Aviation Museum in Akureyri. There, Martin Michael, owner of the new Nice Air, emphasized that the airline’s revival would be carried out cautiously, in stages, and with a strong focus on trust and sound operations.
Nice Air attracted considerable attention when it launched international flights from Akureyri Airport in 2022. However, the operation proved short-lived, as circumstances related to Brexit made operations challenging.
New operating model and careful growth
It was made clear at today’s meeting that the new Nice Air will be built around a so-called hybrid virtual carrier operating model. This means that the airline will not initially own or operate its own aircraft, but instead purchase flight operations from established carriers, while Nice Air itself will act as the contractual partner for airports, service providers, and passengers.
This arrangement is intended to allow the airline to select aircraft suited to each route and season, unlike the previous operating model where a single aircraft had to serve very different destinations. Michael stressed that the revival would be “a marathon, not a sprint,” and that the goal is to avoid overly rapid expansion, particularly in light of the number of airlines that have gone bankrupt in recent months.
First flights to Copenhagen in February
According to information presented at the meeting, the first flights of the new Nice Air between Akureyri and Copenhagen are planned for February. The first two flights are scheduled for Thursday, 19 February, and Sunday, 22 February, allowing passengers to enjoy a long weekend either in North Iceland or in Denmark.
Initially, the flights will be operated by a Danish airline, and the aircraft will not carry Nice Air’s colors or branding. Company representatives said this was a deliberate decision in the early stages, aimed at keeping costs low while focusing on reliability and service quality.
Focus on service rather than Low-Cost Travel
It was also stated at the press conference that Nice Air does not intend to compete with traditional low-cost airlines. Instead, the focus will be on so-called “boutique” service, with passengers receiving items such as snacks, beverages, and checked luggage included in the fare.
More routes in the future
If the initial flights are successful, Nice Air plans to explore additional destinations during peak travel periods, such as summer and holiday weekends, as well as so-called “pop-up” flights and charter services, similar to the Christmas shopping trip to Berlin previously offered by the airline. In the longer term, the goal is to establish year-round scheduled service between Akureyri and Copenhagen, although with smaller aircraft outside peak seasons.
Company representatives placed strong emphasis on rebuilding trust following the bankruptcy of the former airline and said that all decisions would be made with long-term sustainability as the guiding principle.
Our live stream from the Nice Air press conference can be viewed below.
