ASL Airlines Belgium Confirms Restructure Of Spanish Operations

Madrid, February 5th 2018: ASL Aviation Holdings has confirmed that it is to progressively introduce B737-400F aircraft to the Spanish-European market to meet increasing capacity requirements. ASL Group will organise its network to cover its global customer requirements with existing aircraft and only a very small number of additional aircraft will be required. Simultaneously the BAe146 aircraft of ASL Airlines Spain will be withdrawn from service and the Spanish airline will cease operations on the retirement of the last aircraft.

While operationally and market driven, this also conforms with the previously announced ASL strategy to reduce duplication, optimise assets and create ‘centres of excellence’ across its European network.

ASL’s stated objective has been to increase operational and cost efficiencies by reducing its number of AOC’s from 6 in Europe. The plan for the Spanish AOC follows the return of ASL Airlines Switzerland’s AOC to the regulatory authorities following the transfer of its fleet of ATR aircraft to ASL Airlines Ireland.

As the European market develops the BAe146 aircraft of ASL Spain do not meet the range or capacity requirements of the emerging market ASL is configuring its European freighter fleet to serve the current and future needs of the group’s customers.

ASL Group will work with the management team in ASL Spain to ensure that the full legal and consultative process is followed and that all staff are treated fairly. This may include the possibility for some staff to re-deploy to suitable open positions in other European ASL airline companies so while there will be some job losses, the final number cannot be quantified now.

The ASL strategy to remove duplication and optimise assets is necessary to continue to position ASL as a strong, sustainable and profitable business that is flexible and that can quickly adapt to meet the changing requirements of its customers.