News

08.12.2006

Air cargo company established in Akureyri

Norðanflug ehf., an air cargo company with service route between Akureyri and Europe Mainland, was formed at Akureyri today. There are three founding partners; Samherji hf., Hf. Eimskipafélag Íslands and SAGA Fjárfestingar ehf. Capital stock is ISK 50 million. Services will begin in spring 2007.

Many groups have expressed interest in forming of this project as it is clear that the need for direct air cargo transportation from Akureyri is great.

The company’s boardmembers are Unnar Jónsson, Samherji hf., Steingrímur Pétursson, consultant, and Þorvaldur Lúðvík Sigurjónsson, from SAGA fjárfestingar ehf. The company has defined clear objectives and during the following weeks further preparation for operations will be made. The company’s operations will be further introduced in February 2007.

A pressing need
Unnar Jónsson, manager of Logistics at Samherji hf., says that many companies have shown great interest in this project. “The market for fresh fish is large and growing. As an example of that, there are approximately 15 tonnes of fresh fish fillets transported from the Eyjafjörður region every day. That quantity is equivalent to the transportation capacity of a jet. Therefore, there is absolutely no doubt that Norðanflug ehf will meet a pressing need in this market and the company will probably make trips 3-5 times each week” he says.

An industry with big growth potential
“This is a very exciting investment opportunity in our opion,“ says Þorvaldur Lúðvík Sigurjónsson, CEO of SAGA Fjárfestingar ehf. “Air cargo transportation is an industry with big growth potential, especially in Akueyri airport where demand for air cargo transportation has been increasing steadily over the years. Norðanflug will not only meet demands for direct export from the Northern part of Iceland, but it will as well create new import opportunities for companies, both in the countryside and the capital area of Iceland. We are convinced that the project will prove to be profitable.”

Optimistic about the future
Baldur Guðnason, CEO of Hf. Eimskipafélag Íslands, says: “Eimskipafélagið operates a powerful transportion network in Iceland as well as abroad, and has among other things, a license for air carrier operations. Our experience and knowledge in this industry will without a doubt support the operations of this new company. We are optimistic about the future and will keep on working on building up and strengthening our newly established company.”