Discussion about establishing a national Faroese airline company began in the 1980s as the demand for a national carrier began to surface. Passenger numbers were steadily increasing during the 80s and in November 1987 the idea of a Faroese airline hatched with the establishment of Atlantic Airways. In the beginning, Cimber Air owned shares in the company, but later on the Faroese government took full ownership. On 28th March 1988 passagers were able for the first time to fly from Vágar to Copenhagen with a Faroese airline.

At the onset, many predicted Atlantic Airways would be short-lived, but the airline has outlasted all such predictions and it continues to live up to its aim to ensure the Faroe Islands a stable high quality air connection with the world.

Atlantic Airways’ home base is at Vágar Airport where the carrier has technical maintenance facilities.

From 1988 to 1995 Atlantic Airways only offered flights to Denmark from Vágar Airport. But in 1995 it took the first step towards establishing regular flights to other destinations, the first one being Iceland. The Faroes-Iceland route was initially a collaboration between Atlantic Airways and Icelandair.

Today Atlantic Airways offers daily and seasonal flights and connections to 10 different destinations. The company has one of the most modern Airline fleets in Europe consisting of three Airbus 320 with a carrying capacity of 174 seats each and two Agusta Westland 139 helicopters that provide domestic and offshore flights services. All are specially equipped to manage the sometimes harsh weather conditions in the Faroe Islands.

More information about Atlantic Airways may be found here.