Air Nostrum, Líneas Aéreas del Mediterráneo, S.A., also known as Iberia Regional, is a regional airline based in Valencia, Spain.[2] Air Nostrum is an independent carrier which operates as a franchisee of Iberia Airlines. Iberia Regional franchise is a regional partner of Iberia and an affiliate member of the Oneworld airline alliance. Air Nostrum operates an extensive network of 91 domestic and international routes to 51 destinations, as well as charter flights. Its main base is Valencia Airport, with hubs at Barcelona Airport and Madrid-Barajas Airport.[3]
[edit] History
The airline was established on 23 May 1994 and started operations on December 15.[4] It was founded as Líneas Aéreas del Mediterraneo/Air Nostrum in Valencia. In May 1997, Air Nostrum signed an agreement with Iberia to become an Iberia franchise. It acquired Iberia subsidiary Binter Mediterraneo and absorbed its operations. Following Iberia's merger with Aviaco in 1999 additional domestic and international services were taken over by Air Nostrum. It acquired Dutch airline Denim Air in 1999, but disposed of any interest in the company in 2002. Air Nostrum is owned by Nefinsa (74.8%), Caja Duero (22.2%) and Air Nostrum management (3%) and has 2,040 employees (in March 2007).[3]
[edit] Destinations
[edit] Services
Air Nostrum offers a comprehensive meal service on all scheduled flights. However, since early 2008, the airline no longer offers a single 'regional business class' cabin. The cabin is now split into separate business and economy sections along the lines of other major airlines. Economy passengers still receive a complimentary snack suitable to the time of day, but of reduced quantity and, arguably, quality than previously.
The Air Nostrum fleet includes the following aircraft (at 8 November 2009): [1]
Air Nostrum average fleet age is 6.5 years (at July 2009).[5]
[edit] Incidents and accidents
On 23 January 2007 Air Nostrum flight IB 8041 from Pamplona to Barcelona was forced to make an emergency landing at El Prat after reporting problems with the front undercarriage on the plane, a Bombardier Dash 8 Q300. The plane had to make an emergency landing, but fortunately nobody was hurt. The following day flight IB 8665 from Valladolid also had to make an emergency landing at the same airport due again to problems with the plane's undercarriage. Two of the forty passengers sustained minor injuries while disembarking from the plane, a Bombardier CRJ200.[citation needed]
On 17 January 2003, an Air Nostrum Fokker 50 overran the runway at Melilla Airport and crashed into the perimeter fence resulting in the aircraft spliting into two major parts. Nine passengers were injured.[6]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Members of the International Air Transport Association | | | | | | Asia-Pacific regional office | | | | | | | China and North Asia regional office | | | | | | | | | | Latin America and the Caribbean regional office | | | | | | | Middle East and North Africa regional office | | | | | | | North America regional office | | | | | | | Russia and the CIS regional office | | | | | |
