Avion Group said its new Germany-based carrier, Star Europe, will start flying this summer from Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Cologne and Stuttgart to unspecified destinations in Eastern and Southern Europe and the Middle East. It initially will operate three A320s with plans for additional aircraft in the future. Martin Greiffenhagen was appointed CEO. "There are significant opportunities to develop a strong market presence and we look forward to an exciting future for this operation," Avion Executive Chairman Magnus Thorsteinsson said. "We look forward to operating in the German market with 80 million people, whose travel patterns are similar to those in the UK. We will use our knowhow within Excel Airways Group to establish a similar operation in Germany."
Avion Group projects to invest approximately EUR10 million in establishing and growing the operation and expects Star Europe's revenues to be nearly EUR30 million this year. It said Star's initial flights will be operated through Germanwings and domestic tour operators.
Avion is best known for its ACMI provider Air Atlanta Icelandic but also is building interests in charter and leisure segments. Its Charter & Leisure Division includes Excel Airways Group and Star Airlines, the French charter carrier it acquired in February (ATWOnline, Feb. 10). It now holds AOCs in the UK, France and Germany and has more than 37 aircraft in operation. In a recent presentation accompanying the purchase of Star Airlines, Avion Group stated it "aims to be the leading charter airline in Europe."
by Cathy Buyck
