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| Windjet aircraft at Dublin picture courtesy of Paul Doyle |
On 25th January 2012 Alitalia announced it signed an Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to merge with Blue Panorama and Wind Jet citing each carrier has complementary markets, networks and products in line with growing airline airline industry consolidation. Alitalia received regulatory approval to take-over Windjet on 24th July.
However at Midnight Saturday 10th August the Catania based carrier WindJet halted operations after merger talks with Alitalia failed, subsequently four WindJet A320 Family aircraft arrived in Dublin Airport overnight to be joined by a single A320 in the early hours on 15th August. According to media reports up to 300,000 passengers could be effected by the sudden halting of operations. The Italian Economic Minister has urged both airlines to resume talks in Rome to clich a last minute deal.
On Twitter it was reported Windjet customers where holding signs at Rome Fiumicino “Help US” and “We want to go home”. A number of airlines have offered rescue fares to faciliate Windjet passengers including Alitalia,Blue Panorama, Easyjet ,Livingston, Meridiana and Neos.
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| Windjet aircraft at Dublin picture courtesy of Paul Doyle |
WindJet was founded in 2003 based in Catania with operational bases in Palmero and Rimini operating charter and scheduled services with fleet of 12 A320 Family aircraft with 500 employees.
EI-CUM Airbus A320-232 c/n 542 Windjet ferried Malta-Dublin 15/08/12 returned to lessor
EI-DVU Airbus A319-113 c/n 660 WindJet ‘JET9005’ ferried Palmero-Dublin 11/12/12 returned to lessor.
EI-ECY Airbus A319-132 c/n 2723 WindJet ‘JET9002’ ferried Palmero-Dublin 11/12/12 returned to lessor.
EI-ELG Airbus A320-232 c/n 877 WindJet ‘JET9003’ ferried Rimini-Dublin 11/12/12 returned to lessor.
EI-ESG Airbus A319-132 c/n 2797 WindJet ‘JET9004’ ferried Verona-Dublin 12/12/12 returned to lessor.
References : Irish-spotters@yahoogroups.com & Skyliner Aviation
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 11th August 2012 All Rights Reserved.
