History

1987 – THE COMPANY IS FOUNDED
In early November, Lasse Klein, Minister of Industry, presents a proposal to the Faroese Parliament to establish a Faroese airline. The Faroese Government is to own 51% of the company, and the Danish airline Cimber Air is to own 49%. On 10 November that same year, Atlantic Airways was formally established.

1988 – THE FIRST FLIGHT
Atlantic Airways operates its first flight between the Faroe Islands and Denmark. The moment is ceremonial as the new aircraft departs with its first passengers bound for Copenhagen. Faroese hospitality and Faroese cabin crew give a distinctive touch on board.

1990 – ATLANTIC REVIEW
Atlantic Review is published for the first time. From day one, the magazine focuses on portraying the Faroe Islands and Faroese people through well-written articles accompanied by strong photography.

1992 – NEW SHARE CAPITAL
The economic crisis in the Faroe Islands also affects aviation, and the Government is forced to inject DKK 75 million in new share capital into the company, while Cimber Air exits. With this intervention and a new hangar in Vágar, the foundation is strengthened.

1994 – MORE DIVERSIFIED OPERATIONS
The public ferry service originally handled helicopter transport between the islands, but this year the Government made an agreement with Atlantic Airways to take over the operation. The company’s activities have now become more diversified.

1995 – FIRST PROFIT
The company’s first CEO, Heri Mortensen, steps down, and Magni Arge takes over as CEO. The company began flying to Iceland in cooperation with Air Iceland. For the first time, Atlantic Airways records an operating profit and sets out to develop routes to all neighbouring countries.

1997 – TO GREENLAND
Activity increases further as flights between Iceland and Greenland begin in cooperation with Icelandic partners. The company also operates charter flights between Copenhagen and Bosnia, where a civil war took place between 1992 and 1995. Atlantic Airways is the first Nordic airline to resume flights to Bosnia.

1998 – TO SCOTLAND
Flight operations increase significantly, and the company requires an additional aircraft, initially leased to the Faroe Islands. A route to Scotland is launched, and the number of flights between the Faroe Islands and Denmark is increased.

1999 – TO NORWAY
The company requires a permanent solution regarding aircraft, as the expanded operations are very well received. The company also begins flying to Norway. Negotiations begin in October to purchase the next aircraft, and an agreement is signed for delivery in February 2000.

2000 – THE FLEET GROWS
Atlantic Airways received its second aircraft on 2 February. The aircraft is a British Aerospace type, like the first one. The company is also preparing to enter into transport agreements between Aberdeen and Vágar in connection with oil exploration around the Faroe Islands and rescue operations for the Ministry of Fisheries.

2001 – MAJOR CONTRACTS
Under an agreement with the Ministry of Fisheries, the company is to provide a new rescue helicopter and handle search-and-rescue operations around the Faroe Islands for the next 10 years. The Bell 412 rescue helicopter arrives on Flag Day. The company also signs agreements with Amerada Hess, BP and Statoil to transport crews from Aberdeen to Vágar and, together with Bristow Helicopters, to handle transport to offshore platforms. Direct flights from the Faroe Islands to London have also been launched.

2002 – PASSENGER NUMBERS DOUBLE
Passenger numbers exceed 100,000 for the first time. This is a significant increase compared to 1995, when the number was around 50,000. The total includes passengers flying domestically by helicopter, who account for 7% of all passengers, while 93% travel by fixed-wing aircraft. Increased supply creates increased demand.

2004 – COMPETITION INTENSIFIES
Competition between Atlantic Airways and Mærsk Air intensifies when Mærsk introduces a bonus programme. Atlantic Airways responds, and most customers choose the Súlubonus programme. Mærsk withdraws in October, leaving Atlantic Airways as the sole operator. The company purchases a third aircraft and begins flying for Aker in Norway. It also operates charter flights between Copenhagen and the Italian cities of Perugia and Ancona.

2005 – AIRBUS VISITS
For the very first time, an Airbus aircraft lands in the Faroe Islands. Many had doubted whether such a large aircraft could land on the runway in Vágar, but the approach and landing were completed without issues. The visit signals a new era for Atlantic Airways. The company purchases its first Avro RJ aircraft from Swiss. The aircraft carries more passengers and has a longer range than the British Aerospace aircraft. The company wins the “Initiative of the Year” award at the Faroese Business Day.

2006 – FAROESE COMPETITION
Atlantic Airways faces competition from the new Faroese airline, FaroeJet. The airline begins operations in May and continues until December, when it is forced to cease operations due to depleted equity. Atlantic Airways takes over FaroeJet’s aircraft and flies thousands of stranded Christmas passengers home from Denmark. On 10 October, an Atlantic Airways aircraft overran the runway in Stord, Norway. Four people lost their lives, including cabin crew member Guðrun Hervør Joensen from Bø, aged 41.

2007 – LISTED ON THE STOCK MARKET
The company acquires two additional Avro RJ aircraft from Swiss and signs an agreement with SAS for extensive operations between Copenhagen and destinations such as London and Stavanger. One-third of Atlantic Airways is privatised, and the company is listed on the Icelandic stock exchange, ICEX. After the listing, the company is subject to daily scrutiny on the financial markets, where investors can buy and sell shares. The company is also honoured as “Apprenticeship of the Year” in the Danish Kingdom.

2008 – AIRBUS ORDERED
On 30 January, Atlantic Airways signed an agreement with Airbus to build a new Airbus A319 aircraft. The aircraft is significantly larger than the British Aerospace aircraft used since the beginning and has a capacity for 144 passengers. It will also be able to fly much longer distances directly, including to destinations around the Mediterranean. In spring, a new AugustaWestland AW139 helicopter joins the fleet.

2009 – REEFING THE SAILS
For the first time since 1994, the company records a loss. The financial crisis, reduced activity and a global aviation downturn are the causes. The company implements extensive measures to adapt operations. At its peak, the company employed 285 staff, and seven aircraft flew around 15,000 hours. Two aircraft leave the fleet, flights are reduced, charter operations decline significantly, and staff numbers are reduced to 165.

2010 – BACK ON TRACK
Atlantic Airways returns to profitability. The profit amounts to DKK 12.3 million after tax, compared with a loss of DKK 6.6 million the previous year, despite volcanic ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull grounding flights for several weeks. Equity now stands at DKK 227 million, and the solvency ratio is 56 %. Shareholders receive DKK 7.5 million in dividends.

2011 – MARKETING THE FAROE ISLANDS
An agreement is made to sell the AugustaWestland AW139 helicopter. The extended runway at Vágar comes into use in December, and the company achieves one of its best results to date. The company also received a silver award for advertising campaigns presented in Copenhagen. The campaign promotes not only the airline but the entire Faroe Islands.

2012 – AIRBUS ARRIVES
A festive atmosphere marks the arrival of the new Airbus A319 aircraft from Hamburg. Representatives from, among others, the Faroese Government and the company are on board for this first flight, and a large crowd gathers to welcome it. A new era begins in Faroese aviation with new aircraft and groundbreaking navigation technology that improves regularity. The company launches flights to Barcelona and receives a bronze award as European Airline of the Year from the European Regions Airline Association.
The company also conducts helicopter operations in support of oil exploration for Statoil and participates in several demanding rescue missions.

2013 – ATLANTIC AIRWAYS 25 YEARS
The company celebrates 25 years since its first flight between Vágar and Copenhagen. Equity stands at DKK 247 million, and Faroese passengers can now fly directly to Milan as well as Barcelona. The company signs several charter agreements southbound from Denmark, and additional Airbus aircraft are expected in the fleet in June and October. The company begins charter operations in Chile.
Magni Arge steps down as CEO, and Jørgen Holme becomes interim CEO.

2014 – PASSENGER NUMBER 3,000,000
The Faroese Parliament approves the repurchase of the one-third share of Atlantic Airways that was privatised in 2007, thereby returning the Government to full ownership of the company.
The last BAE-Avro RJ-100 aircraft leaves the fleet, and Atlantic Airways now operates an all-Airbus fleet. Passenger number 3,000,000 flies with Atlantic Airways in late November.

2015 – NEW HELICOPTERS
Atlantic Airways replaces its helicopter fleet with two new AW139 helicopters, replacing the 20-year-old Bell 412 helicopters. The new helicopters are better equipped for rescue operations and, overall, more advanced and spacious.
In June, an agreement was signed with Airbus for a new Airbus A320 aircraft. Jóhanna á Bergi is appointed CEO and takes up the position on 1 September.

2016 – SVEIGGJ, SÚLUBONUS AND #SÓLUMVETURIN
Atlantic Airways introduces a special youth and student fare called SVEIGGJ. The Súlubonus programme is re-established after SAS terminates the EuroBonus agreement, and a new Airbus A320 joins the fleet in December. Atlantic Airways also launches direct winter flights to Gran Canaria and can now offer Faroese travellers #SÓLUMVETURIN.

2017 – 30 YEARS ON FAROESE WINGS
Atlantic Airways celebrates its 30th anniversary, and in this connection, aircraft and helicopters are named after prominent Faroese artists. The aircraft are named William (Heinesen), Elinborg (Lützen) and Ingálvur (av Reyni). The helicopters are named Sámal (Joensen-Mikines) and Ruth (Smith).
At the same time, the cultural support programme Listaflog is established, granting DKK 100,000 annually to one or more artistic projects or artists.

2018 – NEO AIRCRAFT AND HOTELS
An agreement is signed with an American company for the long-term lease of two newly built Airbus A320neo aircraft. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2019. The Neo aircraft consume less fuel and produce lower emissions than standard Airbus aircraft.
In February, it was announced that Atlantic Airways and LÍV would begin a major hotel project in Tórshavn, and later that year, Martin Restorff was appointed CEO.

2019 – RECORD YEAR
In June, Atlantic Airways signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase two new Airbus A320 aircraft, and just one month later, the first NEO aircraft arrived in the Faroe Islands.
The year also sets a record, with close to 340,000 passengers.

2020 – COVID HALTS AVIATION
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, and the aviation industry was severely affected. The number of flights and destinations for Atlantic Airways has been significantly reduced, and around 90 employees have been made redundant. The airline receives DKK 100 million in financial support from the Government to ensure liquidity.
In October, Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands opens for the first time, and initially, it is mainly Faroese guests who visit and stay at the hotel.
Delivery of aircraft originally scheduled for late 2023 and the first half of 2024 has been postponed to 2027 and 2028.

2021 – GRADUAL RECOVERY
In summer 2021, recovery gradually began following the COVID-19 pandemic. Flights operate to eight destinations, and passenger numbers are slowly increasing again.
The last Airbus A319 aircraft in the fleet is leased out to an airline in the Canary Islands.

2022 – BACK IN FULL SWING
Activity picks up significantly again, although COVID still affects the early months of the year. Nevertheless, the year becomes the best since the record year of 2019, with around 350,000 passengers.
In early June, Atlantic Airways signed an agreement with Thales to purchase a brand-new, state-of-the-art helicopter simulator, which is scheduled to be ready for use in the first quarter of 2024. The cost is around DKK 100 million.

2023 – DIRECT TO NEW YORK
On 28 March, it is 35 years since Atlantic Airways operated its first flight. This is celebrated at the airport with cake and coffee for passengers and other guests.
On 22 August, history is made when the first scheduled flight between Vágar and New York, Stewart International Airport, is operated.

2024 – "… THEN WE TAKE BERLIN"
The year begins with Atlantic Airways establishing an air bridge to Berlin in connection with the Men’s European Handball Championship finals in January, where the Faroe Islands participate for the first time. Around 5,000 Faroese gather in the German capital, where players and supporters share a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
In November/December, Atlantic Airways also flies the women’s national handball team, along with supporters, to Basel, Switzerland, where they likewise participate in their first European Championship finals.
Another sun destination is added to the route network when flights to Tenerife begin, the largest of the Canary Islands. Flights operate in and around the autumn holiday period.

2025 – RECORD PASSENGER NUMBERS
The brand-new simulator centre, Atlantic Airways Aviation Academy, is officially inaugurated. The simulator centre houses two modern and advanced simulators—one for helicopters and one for Airbus aircraft. Atlantic Airways Aviation Academy also received the “Initiative of the Year” award at the Faroese Business Awards.
Never before have so many people flown on Faroese wings: in 2025, passenger numbers on Atlantic Airways’ scheduled services reached a record of just under 380,000 travellers.