Blue 1 (Helsinki Vantaa) is currently considering its options for a replacement for its fleet of nine B717-200s, CEO Mikael Wångdahl, has told Denmark's CHECK-IN.dk. The SAS Scandinavian Airlines (SK, Copenhagen Kastrup) subsidiary operates nine B717s on flights for and on behalf of SAS, especially to and from Finland.
"Blue1 is about to consider its options regarding refleeting. While we have planned to find a replacement for our Boeing 717 aircraft when their leases expire, I cannot, however, dwell on what type it will be," he said.
In a bid to diversify its operations and wean itself off of its dependency on parent, SAS, Wångdahl said his carrier was now considering cooperating with other carriers as part of plans to improve the carrier's operating efficiency.
"In order to deliver a good product, we must be cost-effective, and that means we also need to have something to do during our low season. You have to live all year round. With only one customer (SAS), we have our low season when it has a low season. Therefore, we believe our spare capacity can be used elsewhere which means focussing on the non-SAS market," he added.
Wångdahl went on to add that although Blue1 is part of the SAS Group, its customer relationships are handled independently, thereby giving it greater leeway and flexibility in its approach to business.
