Blue1

Blue1 was a Finnish regional and network airline whose roots lay in Air Botnia, a carrier established in 1987. It began operations in June 1988 with Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante aircraft, combining night cargo flying with passenger services from Helsinki to smaller Finnish destinations including Kauhajoki and Seinäjoki. The airline expanded cautiously during its early years, leasing British Aerospace Jetstream 31 aircraft from 1993. Financial pressure in 1995 led to the repossession of those aircraft and brought Air Botnia close to bankruptcy, although the company continued operating on a reduced scale. SAS Group acquired Air Botnia in January 1998 and subsequently modernized its fleet. Saab 340 turboprops replaced the Jetstreams later in 1998, while Fokker F28 Fellowship aircraft introduced jet operations in 1999. Because the F28s were noisy and operationally constrained, they were replaced by Avro RJ85 aircraft in 2001. The Saab 340s were also replaced by larger Saab 2000 turboprops, allowing the airline to serve a broader regional network. Air Botnia was renamed Blue1 O/Y in January 2004. The rebranding supported a more visible role within the SAS Group and was followed by Blue1's entry into Star Alliance on 3 November 2004 as the alliance's first regional member. In 2005, Blue1 was described as Finland's second-largest airline, operating more than 100 daily flights and holding a particularly strong position on routes linking Finland with Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. In 2006, it opened ten new nonstop European routes and increased total capacity by more than half. Its network later included London Heathrow, domestic Finnish business markets, Lapland destinations, and seasonal leisure routes such as Biarritz, Dubrovnik, and Split. The airline changed its alliance and operating relationship during the 2010s. Blue1 became a full Star Alliance member on 1 January 2009, but left the alliance in November 2012 and became an affiliate of Scandinavian Airlines. On 1 November 2012, SAS assumed responsibility for Blue1's marketing and sales as part of a service-producer arrangement. Flights used the SAS 'SK' flight prefix, making Blue1 increasingly integrated into the wider SAS commercial system. Blue1 operated Economy and Economy Extra cabins. Economy passengers received coffee and tea on Blue1-operated flights, while additional food and beverages could be purchased through the Cafe1 service. Economy Extra included benefits such as business-class check-in and Fast Track security where available. Blue1 was also recognized as the first network airline in Northern Europe to receive ISO 14001 environmental certification. In 2015, SAS first considered replacing Blue1's Boeing 717-200 fleet with Boeing 737-600 aircraft, while later evaluating Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft associated with Cimber. These plans did not proceed as originally announced. In October 2015, SAS announced the sale of Blue1 to Irish carrier CityJet, which was expected to operate the company for SAS within a broader commercial relationship. Blue1's flight operations stopped on 31 October 2015. By December, the airline had no aircraft of its own and its website had been redirected to SAS. Blue1 was dissolved in 2016, with its assets merged into CityJet. The brand therefore survives primarily as a historical Finnish airline name rather than as an active carrier.

Blue1 originated as Air Botnia, which was established in Finland in 1987 and began flying in June 1988. Its initial operation combined night cargo services with passenger flights from Helsinki to Kauhajoki and Seinäjoki. The airline used Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante aircraft and later leased British Aerospace Jetstream 31s to increase capacity. The expansion was financially difficult: cash-flow problems in the summer of 1995 resulted in the repossession of the Jetstreams and pushed Air Botnia close to bankruptcy. It survived by continuing with a reduced operation. A major change came in January 1998, when SAS Group purchased the airline. Under SAS ownership, Air Botnia replaced its Jetstreams with Saab 340 aircraft later that year. It introduced jet equipment in 1999 through Fokker F28 Fellowships, but the aircraft's high noise levels restricted their use. In 2001, the F28s were replaced by quieter Avro RJ85 jets, while Saab 340s were replaced by larger Saab 2000 turboprops. These fleet changes helped the airline develop from a small Finnish regional operator into a more capable feeder and network carrier. Air Botnia adopted the Blue1 O/Y name in January 2004. Later that year, on 3 November, it became the first regional member of Star Alliance. The new brand supported a broader network strategy, especially on services connecting Finland with the other Nordic countries. By 2005, Blue1 had become Finland's second-largest airline, operating more than 100 daily flights and serving as a leading operator between Finland and Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. The following year it opened ten new European nonstop routes and increased total capacity by more than 50 percent. The network continued to develop during the second half of the 2000s. Blue1 moved its London operation from Stansted to Heathrow in 2008 and expanded its domestic business routes. In 2009, it added winter services to Lapland, including a Paris–Kittila route, and introduced summer routes to Biarritz, Dubrovnik, and Split. The airline also promoted its environmental credentials and became the first network airline in Northern Europe to receive ISO 14001 environmental certification. Blue1's relationship with Star Alliance changed in the early 2010s. Although it became a full Star Alliance member on 1 January 2009, it left the alliance in November 2012 and became an affiliate of Scandinavian Airlines. From 1 November 2012, Blue1 functioned as a service producer for SAS: SAS handled marketing and sales, and Blue1-operated flights used the SAS SK flight prefix. This arrangement reduced Blue1's independent commercial identity and integrated its operation more closely with the parent airline's network. During 2015, SAS examined several fleet and ownership options. It initially announced that Blue1's Boeing 717-200 aircraft would be sold to Volotea and Delta Air Lines and replaced by Boeing 737-600 aircraft transferred from Scandinavian Airlines. SAS later cancelled that plan and evaluated Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft associated with Cimber. In October 2015, SAS announced the sale of Blue1 to CityJet, an Irish carrier that was to operate the company for SAS as part of a wider relationship. Blue1's own flight operations ended on 31 October 2015. By December it had no aircraft remaining, and its website had been redirected to SAS. The company was dissolved in 2016 and its assets were merged into CityJet. Blue1 consequently became a defunct airline brand, although its history reflects the development of Finnish regional aviation within the SAS Group and the wider consolidation of European airline operations.

• 2016

  Blue1 is dissolved

  [1]Blue1en.wikipedia.org

  The company was dissolved and its assets were merged into CityJet.

• 2015

  Flight operations cease

  [1]Blue1en.wikipedia.org

  Blue1 halted its own flight operations on 31 October after SAS announced its sale to CityJet.

• 2012

  Blue1 becomes a SAS affiliate

  [1]Blue1en.wikipedia.org

  The airline left Star Alliance and shifted to an affiliate and service-producer relationship with Scandinavian Airlines.

• 2009

  Blue1 becomes a full Star Alliance member

  [1]Blue1en.wikipedia.org

  Blue1 attained full membership in Star Alliance on 1 January.

• 2004

  Air Botnia is renamed Blue1

  [1]Blue1en.wikipedia.org

  The airline adopted the Blue1 O/Y name and joined Star Alliance as its first regional member.

• 1998

  SAS Group acquires Air Botnia

  [1]Blue1en.wikipedia.org

  SAS Group purchased Air Botnia and began renewing its fleet with Saab 340 aircraft.

• 1995

  Cash-flow crisis threatens Air Botnia

  [1]Blue1en.wikipedia.org

  Financial difficulties led to the repossession of leased Jetstream aircraft and sharply reduced operations.

• 1988

  Air Botnia begins operations

  [1]Blue1en.wikipedia.org

  Operations started in June with Embraer EMB-110 aircraft on night cargo and domestic passenger routes.

• 1987

  Air Botnia is established

  [1]Blue1en.wikipedia.org

  The Finnish airline that later became Blue1 was founded under the Air Botnia name.

A Finnish regional network airline focused on connecting Finland with the Nordic countries and selected European destinations, operating first as an SAS Group subsidiary and later as an SAS-affiliated service producer.

• Airline transportation · 1988

  Scheduled passenger flights

  Blue1's core offering was scheduled passenger transportation from Finland to domestic destinations, the Nordic countries, and selected European cities. At its height, the carrier operated a network centered mainly on Helsinki Airport and served both business-oriented regional markets and seasonal leisure destinations.

• Cabin service

  Economy

  The standard Blue1 cabin class. Coffee and tea were included on Blue1-operated flights, while sandwiches and other beverages could be purchased through the Cafe1 onboard service. Flights with shorter sectors could have a reduced service offering.

• Premium economy-style airline service

  Economy Extra

  Blue1's higher service tier, previously known as Blue1 Premium. Where available, it included benefits such as business-class check-in and Fast Track security, positioning it toward passengers seeking airport convenience rather than a separate long-haul business-class product.

• 2015

  Evaluate replacement aircraft for the Boeing 717 fleetGeneration change

  Background

  SAS planned to dispose of Blue1's Boeing 717-200 aircraft and initially proposed transferring Boeing 737-600 aircraft to the airline.

  Action taken

  The proposed Boeing 737-600 replacement was later cancelled, and SAS evaluated transferring Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft from Cimber instead.

  Aftermath

  Blue1 ultimately ceased operations before a replacement fleet was established and had no aircraft of its own by December 2015.

  Source

• 2015

  Sell Blue1 to CityJetM&A

  Background

  SAS was restructuring its regional operating relationships and announced a transaction involving Irish carrier CityJet.

  Action taken

  SAS announced in October that CityJet would acquire Blue1 and operate the company for SAS within a broader relationship.

  Aftermath

  Blue1 stopped flying on 31 October 2015 and was dissolved in 2016, with its assets merged into CityJet.

  Source

• 2012

  Move from Star Alliance membership to SAS affiliationStrategy

  Background

  Blue1's role within the SAS Group was being integrated more closely with Scandinavian Airlines.

  Action taken

  Blue1 left Star Alliance in November 2012 and became an affiliate of Scandinavian Airlines. From 1 November, SAS handled marketing and sales while Blue1-operated flights used the SK flight prefix.

  Aftermath

  Blue1 retained an operating role but lost much of its independent commercial identity.

  Source

• 2004

  Rebrand Air Botnia as Blue1Strategy

  Background

  SAS Group sought to develop Air Botnia's identity as a more visible regional network airline.

  Action taken

  The airline changed its name to Blue1 O/Y in January 2004 and entered Star Alliance later that year.

  Aftermath

  The rebrand accompanied network growth and a stronger role linking Finland with Nordic and European markets.

  Source

1. 1Blue1en.wikipedia.org