ICELAND: WOW Introduces Iceland To Texas Route

WOW air is the first of three airlines to start flights between Reykjavik/Keflavik (KEF) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) this summer, with the ULCC having launched a three times weekly A330-300-operated service on 23 May.

From 30 May Icelandair will launch the 6,009-kilometre route with four weekly 757-200-operated flights, while American Airlines will be the third carrier to join the sector party when it begins the route on 7 June.

The oneworld member plans to link its Texan hub with the Icelandic airport daily, with it, like Icelandair, planning to use its 757-200s on the route.

To launch three connections in as many weeks to such a large international hub is a sign we remain on the road of rapid growth and airlines continue to recognise the opportunities available, commented Hlynur Sigurdsson, Commercial Director, Isavia on the addition of Dallas/Fort Worth to Reykjavik/Keflavik’s summer network.

The new flights will not only represent substantial choice for our customers via Dallas/Fort Worth’s immense network, but also allow travellers from North Texas to benefit from our own ever-expanding route map.

This giving them access to Iceland as well as numerous further destinations.

WOW air introduced Cincinnati (CVG) to its ever-growing North American network, with it now linking its Reykjavik/Keflavik (KEF) hub to the US city four times weekly.

Launched 9 May, the LCC will operate the uncontested 4,833-kilometre airport pair using its fleet of 220-seat A321s.

Connecting the Tri-State community with additional international destinations has been a priority for Cincinnati, commented Candace McGraw, CEO of Cincinnati Airport.

We’re excited that WOW air is now providing local travellers with the opportunity to travel non-stop from Cincinnati to Iceland, as well as a one-stop, low-cost service to more than 20 destinations across Europe, Israel and the Canary Islands.

This becomes the US airport’s second transatlantic service, with it joining Delta Air Lines in the European arena.

The SkyTeam member presently offers a daily service to Paris CDG, a route that it flies using its 767-300s.

WOW air has now begun service to Tel Aviv (TEL), with the carrier having inaugurated a four times weekly service from Reykjavik/Keflavik (KEF) on 12 September.

The 5,272-kilometre route, the only connection operating between Iceland and Israel, will be operated by WOW air on its fleet of A321s.

Flights leave Reykjavik/Keflavik at 18:15 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Tel Aviv at 04:40 the following morning.

Return flights leave Tel Aviv at 08:25 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, getting back into Iceland at 13:30.


Tourism Observer

US: Frontier Airlines Flies To 35 US Routes

Frontier Airlines commenced 35 US domestic routes between 14 and 15 April. Of the 35 services only three will face no direct incumbent, namely services between Cleveland (CLE) and Portland (PDX), and the carrier’s new routes to St. Augustine (UST) in Florida from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Philadelphia (PHL).

All city pairs will be operated by the carrier’s mixed A320 family fleet. The average weekly frequency of Frontier Airlines’ new services is 3.7 while the average sector length is 1,564 kilometres.

Commenting on the launch of the carrier’s new routes from Cleveland, Fred Szabo, Interim Director, Cleveland Airport, said: “We are very pleased that Frontier Airlines has decided to grow again at Cleveland. Its expansion to 14 markets including seasonal services makes them the second largest airline at the airport in terms of non-stop markets.”

Memphis Airport celebrated the start of Frontier Airlines’ launch of services to Atlanta on 14 April, a route which the carrier will operate thrice-weekly (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays).

Cleveland Airport celebrated the start of Frontier Airlines’ five new routes to Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles with this very impressive cake.

Cutting the ribbon in Cleveland to cement the start of services are: Rob Recker, SVP for Marketing, Communications and Membership, Greater Cleveland Partnership; Michael Stewart, Station Manager – Cleveland, Frontier Airlines; Bill Meehan, COO of Frontier Airlines; Fred Szabo, Interim Airport Director, Cleveland Airport; and Todd Payne, Chief of Marketing and Air Service Development, Cleveland Airport.

Detroit Airport celebrated the start of services to Phoenix on 15 April with a traditional cake and ribbon cutting ceremony. Services will operate four times weekly onboard the carrier’s A320 fleet.

Nashville Airport celebrated the start of Frontier Airlines’ services to Chicago O’Hare, Orlando and Philadelphia with a traditional route launch cake. Services to O’Hare will be operated daily while Orlando will see a thrice-weekly service and Philadelphia four times weekly.

Passengers disembark Frontier Airlines’ inaugural service from Chicago O’Hare to St. Augustine on 14 April. Services on the 1,458-kilometre route will be served thrice-weekly. On 15 April a four times weekly service from Philadelphia was also launched to the Floridian airport.

Cincinnati Airport allowed the inaugural crews to conduct the ribbon cutting ceremonies for Frontier Airlines’ first flights to Houston Intercontinental and San Francisco. Ground staff and passengers on the premier service to Los Angeles also managed to celebrate by posing with various props. All three routes will be served by the airline’s A319 fleet.

Passengers at Milwaukee were greeted with Frontier Airlines coloured and themed cupcakes to cement the start of the carrier’s four times weekly service to Atlanta on 15 April. The previous day the airline launched flights to Dallas/Fort Worth from the airport, a 1,373-kilometre route which will be served thrice-weekly.

Phoenix Airport celebrated the start of Frontier Airlines’ services to Atlanta and Detroit on 14 April with a ribbon cutting ceremony which was performed by Jim Faulkner, Director of Corporate Communications, Frontier Airlines, and Jim Bennett, Director of Aviation Services, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.