Air Turquoise

Air Turquoise was a French low-cost regional airline created in 2005 by former employees of Air Littoral. Its founders believed that the Reims area, with an estimated population of roughly one million people, could support a regional carrier after the focus of their former employer had been concentrated elsewhere. The airline was intended to connect Reims with important French business and leisure destinations, using a compact regional-airline model rather than a broad national network. The company began daily commercial flights on 24 June 2005 from Reims-Bétheny Airport. Its initial network linked Reims with Bordeaux, Marseille and Nice. Bordeaux was particularly associated with business travel between two major French wine-producing centers, while Marseille and Nice provided access to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The airline operated an approximately five-year-old ATR 42-500, a turboprop aircraft suited to short regional sectors and lower-demand routes. In April 2006, Air Turquoise expanded its schedule by adding daily flights between the Reims area and London Luton Airport. Its Bordeaux service was operated alternately with Toulouse, while the links to Nice and Marseille continued on a daily basis. The resulting network remained small, but it covered domestic business, tourism and limited international demand. Destinations associated with the airline included Bordeaux, London Luton, Marseille, Nice, Reims and Toulouse. The airline encountered a major operational disruption when Reims Airport closed. On 28 June 2006, Air Turquoise moved its operations to Vatry International Airport, approximately 70 kilometres from Reims. The company had not adequately accounted for the airport’s lack of infrastructure for landings in adverse weather conditions. This limitation affected the practicality and reliability of the relocated operation and compounded the difficulties of the young carrier. On 19 July 2006, the Reims Commercial Court ordered the judicial liquidation of Air Turquoise and cancelled its flights. The airline employed 29 people at the time. It received authorization to continue operating until 31 July while a possible resumption or sale could be explored, but no buyer was found. Air Turquoise ceased operations and was formally liquidated on 2 August 2006. Contemporary reporting described the company as carrying debts of nearly €400,000. Because its operating life was brief, publicly documented information about its complete fleet, management structure, passenger volumes and commercial performance is limited.

Air Turquoise was founded on 21 June 2005 by former Air Littoral employees who saw an opportunity to establish a regional airline serving the Reims area. Their plan was based on the region’s sizeable population and the prospect of rebuilding local air links outside Air Littoral’s traditional Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur context. The new airline adopted a low-cost regional model and operated with a small turboprop fleet, beginning with a five-year-old ATR 42-500. Commercial operations began on 24 June 2005 from Reims-Bétheny Airport. The initial schedule provided daily flights to Bordeaux, Marseille and Nice. The Bordeaux route was associated with business links between Reims and Bordeaux, both important centers of the French wine industry. Marseille and Nice connected the Reims market with southern France and the Mediterranean region. The airline later broadened its network. From April 2006 it operated daily flights between the Reims area and London Luton Airport. The Bordeaux route was alternated with Toulouse, while Marseille and Nice continued to receive daily service. The documented network therefore comprised Bordeaux, London Luton, Marseille, Nice, Reims and Toulouse. A significant disruption followed the closure of Reims Airport. On 28 June 2006, Air Turquoise relocated to Vatry International Airport, located around 70 kilometres from Reims. The relocation created practical difficulties because the airport’s runway lacked infrastructure needed for landings in adverse weather conditions. This problem weakened the reliability of the airline’s operation at a time when the company was still developing its market and network. On 19 July 2006, the Reims Commercial Court ordered the judicial liquidation of Air Turquoise and cancelled all flights. The court nevertheless permitted the company to continue operating until 31 July to allow time for a possible takeover or revival. No buyer emerged. The airline finally ceased operations on 2 August 2006, leaving its 29 employees without work. The company was reported to have accumulated debts of nearly €400,000. Its brief existence and liquidation meant that it never developed into a sustained regional airline, and detailed public records about its management, passenger volumes and longer-term commercial strategy remain limited.

• 2006

  London Luton service added

  [1]Air Turquoiseen.wikipedia.org

  The airline expanded its network with daily flights between the Reims area and London Luton Airport.

• 2006

  Operations move to Vatry

  [1]Air Turquoiseen.wikipedia.org

  After the closure of Reims Airport, Air Turquoise transferred flights to Vatry International Airport.

• 2006

  Judicial liquidation ordered

  [1]Air Turquoiseen.wikipedia.org

  The Reims Commercial Court ordered liquidation on 19 July and cancelled the airline’s flights.

• 2006

  Operations end

  [1]Air Turquoiseen.wikipedia.org

  Air Turquoise ceased operations on 2 August after no buyer was found during the court-authorized continuation period.

• 2005

  Air Turquoise is founded

  [1]Air Turquoiseen.wikipedia.org

  Former Air Littoral employees established Air Turquoise on 21 June as a proposed regional carrier for the Reims area.

• 2005

  Scheduled operations begin

  [1]Air Turquoiseen.wikipedia.org

  Daily flights began on 24 June from Reims-Bétheny to Bordeaux, Marseille and Nice with an ATR 42-500.

A low-cost regional airline linking the Reims area with selected French cities and London Luton.

• Passenger airline service · 2005

  Domestic regional passenger flights

  Air Turquoise’s principal offering was scheduled regional air travel within France. Its initial daily network connected the Reims area with Bordeaux, Marseille and Nice, and later included Toulouse on an alternating basis with Bordeaux. The service was designed for short-haul regional demand, including business travel and access to southern French destinations. The airline operated a small turboprop aircraft suitable for regional sectors. These services were discontinued when the company entered liquidation in 2006.

• International regional passenger service · 2006

  Reims–London Luton flights

  From April 2006, Air Turquoise operated a daily link from the Reims area to London Luton Airport. The route was the airline’s documented international expansion and complemented its domestic links to Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse. It targeted short-haul travel between northeastern France and the London area, but remained part of a very small network and ended with the airline’s liquidation later that year.

• 2006

  Relocation from Reims to VatryStrategy

  Background

  The closure of Reims Airport required the airline to move its operating base and services.

  Action taken

  On 28 June, Air Turquoise shifted operations to Vatry International Airport, approximately 70 kilometres from Reims.

  Aftermath

  The new airport lacked infrastructure needed for landings in adverse weather, creating operational difficulties for the carrier.

  Source

• 2006

  Attempt to secure a buyer during liquidationM&A

  Background

  The Reims Commercial Court ordered judicial liquidation on 19 July while the airline had 29 employees and was facing substantial debt.

  Action taken

  The company was permitted to continue operating until 31 July to provide an opportunity for a buyer or a resumption of activity.

  Aftermath

  No buyer was found, and Air Turquoise ceased operations on 2 August 2006.

  Reported debt. nearly €400,000 (At the time of liquidation in 2006)

  Source

1. 1Air Turquoiseen.wikipedia.org