AirGotland and Air Leap merge to form Air Leap Scandinavia AB. The company will operate on Gotland under the name Air Gotland with the intention of continuing to develop travel to and from Gotland based on a regional focus. Air Leap Scandinavia is part of the Olsen Group and is controlled by Ola Olsen.
They bring significantly greater resources, their own flight operations, a large customer group and a network of destinations from Bromma. In the new company, Ola Mattsson, former head of Gotlandsflyg, will take on the role of CEO.
AirGotland, which had its first take-off in August 2020, had already attracted one in three travelers to fly with the new company after just a few weeks. The combination of a strong local focus, Gotland staff and affordable flights were the success factors.
”The start-up exceeded our expectations and the people of Gotland quickly chose us,” says Michael Juniwik, Chairman of the Board of AirGotland and previously one of the founders of Gotlandsflyg.
”"The collaboration we had with Air Leap during the winter meant that we started talking about a deeper and more long-term collaboration. In this way, we secure connections to the mainland and with a focus on the needs of the people of Gotland," continues Michael Juniwik.
During the winter downturn in air travel, AirGotland and Air Leap decided to join forces and work for the good of Gotland, which meant that both companies flew the same aircraft.
The AirGotland brand remains and guarantees the local approach and proximity to the Gotland market. In connection with the change, AirGotland's CEO Tiina Mykkänen chooses to leave her position.
”"I joined as CEO and co-owner at the start of AirGotland because without daily flights at affordable prices, my family would not choose to stay on Gotland. We managed to deliver that from the start and I am extremely proud of the strong brand we have built in such a short time. With the merger, the local brands will be operated without their own CEOs and therefore I choose to remain only as a co-owner," says Tiina Mykkänen, CEO of AirGotland.
”"I am very pleased that we have found a solution that suits us all and especially that the Gotland staff are being offered continued work for AirGotland," notes Michael Juniwik.
”"It is incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to lead a new commercial company that focuses on the needs of Gotland and Stockholm residents to travel to and from the island, which is of great importance for Gotland's development. There are few things that are as exciting as being able to participate in and contribute to more meetings and experiences," says Ola Mattsson, newly appointed CEO of Air Leap Scandinavia AB.
In the commercial company Air Leap Scandinavia, in addition to Ola Mattsson, the two founders Jens Harrysson and Christer Paulsson will also have operational roles. Pigge Werkelin and Michael Juniwik are part of the company's advisory board.
The airline Air Leap is built from the ground up and has an aircraft production that meets the needs of the market and the company's collaborations with other airline operators mean flexibility and a long-term approach to the investment. While the airline concentrates on the production itself, Air Leap Scandinavia will focus on the commercial offering. The goal is to take advantage of local wishes, contribute to improving the accessibility of the regions through affordable air travel and an expanded schedule in line with market growth.
Future group structure for Air Leap Holding.
AirGotland Express AB was founded by the five former Swedish pilots Pigge Werkelin, Michael Juniwik, Ola Mattsson, Jens Harrysson and Christer Paulsson together with around 30 committed local investors.
Air Leap is a regional airline that operates a mix of commercial and contracted routes. The airline has launched a number of destinations in recent years despite tough times for the airline industry.
