note
Scheduled and charter passenger operator founded as joint venture of SAS Group (parent of Scandinavian Air System) and Viajes Marsans (Spain oldest travel agency). It operated its first flight in March of 1988. In 1994 Spanair introduced scheduled flights. At first only domestic destinations were served. Havana, Washington DC and Sao Paulo were added in 1997. All long-haul scheduled flights were terminated after the September 2001 terrorist attacks. In 2003 Spanair became full member of Star Alliance. SAS Group (%95 stake) decided to sell its share in 2007 but it received no viable offer. In 2009 group of Catalonia investors bought part of the airline and SAS Group became minority owner. At this point Spanair operated scheduled flights within Spain to Europe and North and West Africa. Sizeable chunk of Spanair's business were charter flights for third party tour operators. Financial crisis of 2008, rising fuel prices and controversial accident in August 2008 in which 154 people died put serious pressure on the company. SAS Group was loosing money and could not rescue the airline. Talks with Qatar Airways to invest in the enterprise failed and airline abruptly ceased all operations on 27th January 2012.
founded - demised (age)
1986 - January 27 2012 (26)
headquarters
, Barcelona
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base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
