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Air Nostrum's history: From regional flights to pioneering airship travel

Air Nostrum's history: From regional flights to pioneering airship travel
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Carlos Bertomeu founder and Chief Executive Officer of Air Nostrum | Air Nostrum

Air Nostrum, a regional Spanish airline based at Valencia Airport, has carved a significant niche in Spain's aviation market since its inception in 1994. Founded on May 23, 1994, the airline commenced operations on December 15 of the same year with a Fokker 50 turboprop aircraft flying from Valencia to Bilbao. The fleet initially consisted of three Fokker 50s, which expanded through subsequent phases.

In May 1997, Air Nostrum signed a franchise agreement with Iberia, becoming "Iberia Regional Air Nostrum." Over the years, it operated 38 Fokker 50 aircraft before transitioning to Bombardier CRJ regional jets. These CRJs form the backbone of Air Nostrum's current fleet, with four CRJ100s and twenty-eight CRJ1000s currently in service.

The airline also introduced ATR-72 aircraft in 2012, acquiring six ATR-600 models known for their fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions. As part of its diversification strategy, Air Nostrum entered the high-speed rail market by owning a stake in Iryo, launched in November 2021.

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In terms of future expansion, Air Nostrum plans to introduce Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) Airlander airships into its fleet. Initially planning to acquire ten airships in 2022, this number was increased to twenty by 2023. HAV has confirmed an agreement with Air Nostrum for these hybrid aircraft deliveries starting from 2026.

Air Nostrum is also part of the Strategic Alliance of Regional Airlines (SARA) following its merger announcement with CityJet in 2018. This alliance allows both airlines to maintain their respective brands while benefiting from shared resources.

The airline continues focusing on environmentally friendly travel options while maintaining traditional short-haul routes across Spain. Despite economic challenges and industry changes over the years, Air Nostrum remains committed to expanding its services and exploring innovative transport solutions like airships.

Organizations Included in this History
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