Icelandair Seizes Low-Cost, Long-Haul Opportunities in Norwegian and Wow Air Vacuum
Photo Caption: An Icelandair Boeing 737 Max on final approach to Newark airport. Adam Moreira
Skift Take
As coronavirus restrictions ease, Icelandair is slowly returning to its gateways with international travel from the United States and seizing on the void left by Norwegian and Wow Air. The airline is hoping this marks a return to normalcy, and a big boost in travel and profitability.
Since ceasing flights in March, 2020, Icelandair is resuming direct flights between Iceland and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. Okay, routine restoration of a sidelined flight. Yes, but it may signal something larger.
The return to flying out of Minneapolis-Saint Paul for Icelandair comes on the heels of the collapse of low-cost, long-haul flying by Norwegian Air, which emerged from bankruptcy with a new CEO at the helm, as well as Wow Air's buckling just months before the pandemic, which resulted in the airline leaving passengers stranded worldwide.
The demise of both of these airlines's long-haul transatlantic flying at budget prices has left a vacuum in low-cost flying.
Enter Icelandair to test the new post-pandemic waters. The airline is currently offering four flights a week departing from the Twin Cities with plans to offer one daily flight beginning July 16.
“Iceland is now open to all vaccinated
