newstodate.aero

Jun 03, 2024 (newstodate): After a sustained and successful effort to redevelop the company after the corona pandemic, Icelandair is now reining in again to match a general decline in its market.
   In 2021-2023, the company hired and trained around 2,500 employees, returned a number of aircraft to operation while adding 13 new aircraft to the fleet.
   Now, the Icelandair Group is announcing the retirement of 82 employees in administrative positions, as the main focus is on increasing the efficiency of the operation following the major period of development.  
   -More actions are now being taken to further strengthen the company's competitiveness, Icelandair says in a release.
   Icelandair has also informed the stock exchange that its Guidance for the full year 2024 is no longer valid due to increased uncertainty in the external environment.
   -Uncertainty remains regarding how the markets will develop, not the least due to repeated volcanic eruptions, and thus no guidance will be provided. As the demand for travel to Iceland has weakened, Icelandair has used the flexibility of its route network to increase focus on the via market, but yields have somewhat weakened on that market, the stock exchange release reads.
   Undaunted by the deteriorating situation, Icelandair is still building up its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in 2024 that will see three new deliveries.
   On April 29, 2024, the carrier thus received the second of the three new aircraft this year, an ex-factory Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, following the delivery earlier this year of an ex-Norwegian Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
   In the fleet are thus now 16 Boeing 737 MAX 8 as well as nine Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft.
   The Boeing 737 MAX will continue to serve the carrier at least for the next 10 years, while the future will rest with the introduction of new Airbus A321 aircraft.
   In 2023, Icelandair signed an MoU for the purchase of 13 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, with purchase rights for another 12 aircraft.
   In 2025, Icelandair will take delivery of its first four A321LR aircraft on a lease contract, while the Airbus A321XLR machines will follow from 2029.
   Icelandair now plans to see the first of its currently 19 Boeing 757-200 aircraft leaving the fleet from 2026.