Bluebird Nordic ceases operations

On 2 May 2024, Bluebird Nordic, operating as BBN Airlines Nordic, announced it has ceased all operations and returned its aircraft to its lessors. The airline is citing the slump in cargo demand as reason for its demise.

Bluebird Nordic was established in 1999 as Bluebird Cargo with its base at Keflavik. The company was completely owned by Icelandair and launched flights in 2001. In 2010, the airline was sold-off by Icelandair and in 2017 was renamed into Bluebird Nordic. In 2020, the airline was acquired by Avia Solutions Group.

Before going out of business, Bluebird Nordic had a fleet of three Boeing B737-400(F)s and three B737-800SFs. It also had plans to expand its fleet with three leased B777-300ERs.

The closure of Bluebird Nordic has no impact on the other airlines in the Avia Solutions Group, which are Air Explore (Slovakia), Ascend Airways (UK), Avion Express (Lithuania), Avion Express Malta, BBN Airlines Indonesia, Klasjet (Lithuania), Magma Aviation (UK), Skytrans Airlines (Australia), SmartLynx (Latvia), SmartLynx Estonia, and SmartLynx Malta.

The Group is the world's largest provider of Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance services and has a total fleet of 166 aircraft.

Photo by Bluebird Nordic.