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{{Short description|Former German regional airline}}
{{About|the German airline|the Polish sister carrier|OLT Express}}
{{About|the German airline|the Polish sister carrier|OLT Express}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox Airline
{{Infobox airline
| airline = OLT Express Germany
| airline = OLT Express Germany
| logo = OLT Express Germany logo.svg
| logo = OLT Express Germany logo.svg
| logo_size = 250px
| logo_size = 200
| fleet_size = 15
| fleet_size = 15
| destinations = 10
| destinations = 10
Line 15: Line 16:
| ceased = 30 January 2013
| ceased = 30 January 2013
| headquarters = [[Bremen]], Germany
| headquarters = [[Bremen]], Germany
| key_people = Prof. Dr. Joachim Klein (CEO)
| key_people = Joachim Klein ([[CEO]])
| hubs =
| hubs =
* [[Bremen Airport]]
* [[Bremen Airport]]
Line 27: Line 28:
}}
}}


'''OLT Express Germany''' (formerly '''OLT Ostfriesische Lufttransport GmbH''' or '''OLT''') was<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.aero.de/news-16738/OLT-Express-Germany-gibt-auf.html |title=Luftfahrt-Nachrichten und -Community |publisher=aero.de |date= |accessdate=17 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="austrianaviation1">{{cite web|author=Austrian Aviation Net |url=http://austrianaviation.net/news-international/news-detail/datum/2013/01/27/grounding-bei-olt-express.html |title=Austrian Aviation Net: Grounding bei OLT Express |publisher=Austrianaviation.net |date= |accessdate=17 May 2013}}</ref> an [[airline]] based in [[Bremen]] in Germany.<ref>"[https://www.olt.de/en/info/imprint/ Imprint]." ({{webarchive |url=https://www.webcitation.org/60hAbJRqM?url=https://www.olt.de/en/info/imprint/ |date=4 August 2011 }}) OLT. Retrieved on 4 August 2011. "OLT Express Germany GmbH Henrich-Focke-Strasse 6 28199 Bremen"</ref> The company moved to Bremen from Emden in February 2012. It operated regional scheduled and charter flights linking northern Germany to other parts of the country and [[Bremen (city)|Bremen]] to other European destinations. Its main base was [[Bremen Airport]].<ref name="FI">{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 58 | date= 10 April 2007}}</ref>
'''OLT Express Germany''' (formerly '''OLT Ostfriesische Lufttransport GmbH''' or '''OLT''') was<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.aero.de/news-16738/OLT-Express-Germany-gibt-auf.html |title=Luftfahrt-Nachrichten und -Community |date=27 January 2013 |publisher=aero.de |access-date=17 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="austrianaviation1">{{cite web|author=Austrian Aviation Net |url=http://austrianaviation.net/news-international/news-detail/datum/2013/01/27/grounding-bei-olt-express.html |title=Austrian Aviation Net: Grounding bei OLT Express |publisher=Austrianaviation.net |access-date=17 May 2013}}</ref> an [[airline]] based in [[Bremen]] in Germany.<ref>"[https://www.olt.de/en/info/imprint/ Imprint]." ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002193901/https://www.olt.de/en/info/imprint/ |date=2 October 2011 }}) OLT. Retrieved on 4 August 2011. "OLT Express Germany GmbH Henrich-Focke-Strasse 6 28199 Bremen"</ref> The company moved to Bremen from Emden in February 2012. It operated regional scheduled and charter flights linking northern Germany to other parts of the country and [[Bremen (city)|Bremen]] to other European destinations. Its main base was [[Bremen Airport]].<ref name="FI">{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 58 | date= 10 April 2007}}</ref>


==History==
==History==


===Founding and first years===
===Founding and first years===
OLT was founded on 1 November 1958 by Martin Dekker and Jan Janssen as '''Ostfriesische Lufttaxi - Dekker und Janssen OHG''', initially operating air taxi flights to islands in the [[North Sea]] from [[Emden]]. The first aircraft was a [[SAI KZ VII|KZ VII]] from [[Skandinavisk Aero Industri A/S]] in Copenhagen.<ref name=olt.de>[https://www.olt.de/unternehmen/ueber-uns/geschichte/ ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214203308/https://www.olt.de/unternehmen/ueber-uns/geschichte/ |date=14 December 2009 }}</ref> In 1961 the airline hired its first own staff: a pilot and a ´groundstewardess´.
OLT was founded on 1 November 1958 by Martin Dekker and Jan Janssen as '''Ostfriesische Lufttaxi - Dekker und Janssen OHG''', initially operating air taxi flights to islands in the [[North Sea]] from [[Emden]]. The first aircraft was a [[SAI KZ VII|KZ VII]] from [[Skandinavisk Aero Industri A/S]] in Copenhagen.<ref name=olt.de>[https://www.olt.de/unternehmen/ueber-uns/geschichte/ ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214203308/https://www.olt.de/unternehmen/ueber-uns/geschichte/ |date=14 December 2009 }}</ref> In 1961 the airline hired its first own staff: a pilot and a 'groundstewardess'.


OLT had, by 1968, five aircraft and operated 13,174 flights.<ref name=olt.de/> After Janssen's death the company AGIV (Aktiengesellschaft für Verkehrswesen) and the shipping company Reederei Visser & van Doornums became 1970 new shareholders and the airlines was renamed into '''Ostfriesische Lufttaxi GmbH'''. A schedule service from Emden to Bremen and Hamburg was introduced then.<ref name=olt.de/> Soon later AGIV became the single shareholder of OLT and positioned the new [[CEO]] Christian Ulrich Baron von Kaltenborn-Stachau.
OLT had, by 1968, five aircraft and operated 13,174 flights.<ref name=olt.de/> After Janssen's death the company AGIV (Aktiengesellschaft für Verkehrswesen) and the shipping company Reederei Visser & van Doornums became 1970 new shareholders and the airlines was renamed into '''Ostfriesische Lufttaxi GmbH'''. A schedule service from Emden to Bremen and Hamburg was introduced then.<ref name=olt.de/> Soon later AGIV became the single shareholder of OLT and positioned the new [[CEO]] Christian Ulrich Baron von Kaltenborn-Stachau.


===39 Years of operation as OLT - Ostfriesische Lufttransport===
===39 Years of operation as OLT - Ostfriesische Lufttransport===
[[File:Saab 2000 OLT (2).jpg|thumb|A Saab 2000 of OLT - Ostfriesische Lufttransport]]
[[File:Saab 2000, OLT - Ostfriesische Lufttransport AN1232503.jpg|thumb|A Saab 2000 of OLT - Ostfriesische Lufttransport]]
In 1972 the airlines was renamed again, now into '''Ostfriesische Lufttransport GmbH (OLT)''' and Kaltenborn-Stachau took over 26%. Several new schedule services were introduced like from [[Kassel]], [[Düsseldorf]] to Cologne/Bonn in 1973 and [[Hanover]], [[Saarbrücken]], [[Stuttgart]], Münster/Osnabrück and [[Frankfurt]] in 1974.<ref name=olt.de/> For the regional airlines business strategy the company DLT (Deutsche Lufttransport-Gesellschaft mbH) was created and OLT was renamed into '''DLT Luftverkehrsgesellschaft'''. But soon later AGIV decided to split the Emden (OLT) operation away from DLT. This unit (Emden operation) was sold then to [[AG EMS]] and OLT restart its old core activities under its own name.<ref name=olt.de/> To ensure a flexible operation, especially in the charter sector, OLT organised 1976 a joint platform called OFD with the participating airlines OLT, FLN and Dollart GmbH.<ref name=olt.de/>
In 1972 the airlines was renamed again, now into '''Ostfriesische Lufttransport GmbH (OLT)''' and Kaltenborn-Stachau took over 26%. Several new schedule services were introduced like from [[Kassel]], [[Düsseldorf]] to Cologne/Bonn in 1973 and [[Hanover]], [[Saarbrücken]], [[Stuttgart]], Münster/Osnabrück and [[Frankfurt]] in 1974.<ref name=olt.de/> For the regional airlines business strategy the company DLT (Deutsche Lufttransport-Gesellschaft mbH) was created and OLT was renamed into '''DLT Luftverkehrsgesellschaft'''. But soon later AGIV decided to split the Emden (OLT) operation away from DLT. This unit (Emden operation) was sold then to [[AG EMS]] and OLT restart its old core activities under its own name.<ref name=olt.de/> To ensure a flexible operation, especially in the charter sector, OLT organised 1976 a joint platform called OFD with the participating airlines OLT, FLN and Dollart GmbH.<ref name=olt.de/>


At the beginning 1990s, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the airlines faced an increase of their business activities. OLT started operations in the former East German provinces and 1990 took over [[Roland Air]] from Bremen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.holidaystarter.com/olt-fliegt-seit-40-jahren-nach-helgoland/ |title=OLT fliegt seit 40 Jahren nach Helgoland " Günstig, Urlaub, Reisen, Billig verreisen, Infos, Tipps und Ratgeber " Holidaystarter - News |publisher=Holidaystarter.com |date=23 February 2007 |accessdate=6 November 2012}}</ref> In 1991 OLT set up a base in Bremen and started with its scheduled services there. In 1996 all OFD activities were integrated into OLT and therefore under the control of AG EMS.<ref name=olt.de/>
At the beginning 1990s, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the airlines faced an increase of their business activities. OLT started operations in the former East German provinces and 1990 took over [[Roland Air]] from Bremen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.holidaystarter.com/olt-fliegt-seit-40-jahren-nach-helgoland/ |title=OLT fliegt seit 40 Jahren nach Helgoland " Günstig, Urlaub, Reisen, Billig verreisen, Infos, Tipps und Ratgeber " Holidaystarter - News |publisher=Holidaystarter.com |date=23 February 2007 |access-date=6 November 2012}}</ref> In 1991 OLT set up a base in Bremen and started with its scheduled services there. In 1996 all OFD activities were integrated into OLT and therefore under the control of AG EMS.<ref name=olt.de/>


OLT is one of very few airlines that has succeeded in driving a low-cost rival off a route. In December 2005, [[easyJet]] started daily flights between [[Bristol]] and its base in [[Hamburg]]. OLT was operating twice-daily weekday-only services. The route being a predominantly business route, frequency won out over price and easyJet cancelled the route at the end of October 2006.<ref name="anna.aero">{{cite news| url=http://www.anna.aero/2008/09/19/olt-celebrates-reaching-50/| title=OLT celebrates reaching 50 by acquiring its first jets for Airbus ’shuttle’ flights| date=19 September 2008| publisher=anna.aero}}</ref>
OLT is one of very few airlines that has succeeded in driving a low-cost rival off a route. In December 2005, [[easyJet]] started daily flights between [[Bristol]] and its base in [[Hamburg]]. OLT was operating twice-daily weekday-only services. The route being a predominantly business route, frequency won out over price and easyJet cancelled the route at the end of October 2006.<ref name="anna.aero">{{cite news| url=http://www.anna.aero/2008/09/19/olt-celebrates-reaching-50/| title=OLT celebrates reaching 50 by acquiring its first jets for Airbus 'shuttle' flights| date=19 September 2008| publisher=anna.aero}}</ref>


=== OLT Express Germany===
=== OLT Express Germany===
OLT announced on 4 August 2011 it would undergo major restructuring after losing its shuttle flights contract with [[Airbus Industries]]. Effective October 2011 all Fokker and Saab aircraft operations would stop and 100 of its 120 employees were to leave the company. Only the ´island-hopping´ services from [[Emden]] to [[Heligoland]] and [[Borkum]] with small aircraft were to remain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.de/management/strategie/olt-schrumpft-zurueck-zum-inselhuepfer/24848 |title=OLT schrumpft zurück zum Inselhüpfer |publisher=Airliners.de |date=26 July 2012 |accessdate=6 November 2012}}</ref>
OLT announced on 4 August 2011 it would undergo major restructuring after losing its shuttle flights contract with [[Airbus Industries]]. Effective October 2011 all Fokker and Saab aircraft operations would stop and 100 of its 120 employees were to leave the company. Only the 'island-hopping' services from [[Emden]] to [[Heligoland]] and [[Borkum]] with small aircraft were to remain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airliners.de/management/strategie/olt-schrumpft-zurueck-zum-inselhuepfer/24848 |title=OLT schrumpft zurück zum Inselhüpfer |publisher=Airliners.de |date=26 July 2012 |access-date=6 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920133643/http://www.airliners.de/management/strategie/olt-schrumpft-zurueck-zum-inselhuepfer/24848 |archive-date=20 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August 2011, OLT was bought by a Polish [[Shadow banking system|shadow banking]] [[Ponzi scheme]] company [[Amber Gold]], which also bought Polish regional carrier Jet Air and the Polish charter airline [[Yes Airways]]. These two Polish companies were combined under the brand [[OLT Express]] while OLT became '''OLT Express Germany'''. The island flights were taken over by a new independent company, [[OFD Ostfriesischer-Flug-Dienst]].


⚫
OLT Express Germany completed the purchase of Contact Air in September 2012. The purchase included Contact Air's wet-lease contract to operate two aircraft on behalf of [[Swiss International Air Lines]]. The same week as the Contact Air purchase Amber Gold was reported to be experiencing financial difficulty and funding for the deal was in question.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://serwisy.gazetaprawna.pl/transport/artykuly/635356,olt_express_podnosi_ceny_biletow_i_kasuje_trasy_ucieka_przed_bankructwem.html |title=OLT Express podnosi ceny biletów i kasuje trasy. Ucieka przed bankructwem? - Transport - Gazeta Prawna - partner pracodawcy, narzędzie specjalisty |publisher=Serwisy.gazetaprawna.pl |date=25 July 2012 |access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://biznes.onet.pl/olt-express-podnosi-ceny-i-idzie-na-sprzedaz,51502,5199344,news-detal|title=OLT Express raises prices and goes on sale|publisher=Biznes.onet.pl|access-date=6 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hofmann |first=Kurt |url=http://atwonline.com/airline-finance-data/news/olt-express-germany-finalizes-acquisition-contact-air-0719 |title=OLT Express Germany finalizes acquisition of Contact Air |publisher=ATWOnline |date=19 July 2012 |access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref> On 27 July, the Polish OLT Express suspended all services without notice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wyborcza.pl/1,75248,12199932,OLT_Express_od_piatku_zawiesza_wszystkie_swoje_rejsy.html |title=OLT Express zawiesił do odwołania wszystkie swoje rejsy |publisher=Wyborcza.pl |access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref>
In August 2011, OLT was bought by a Polish [[Shadow banking system|shadow banking]] [[Ponzi scheme]] company Amber Gold, which also bought Polish regional carrier Jet Air and the Polish charter airline [[Yes Airways]]. These two Polish companies were combined under the brand [[OLT Express]] while OLT became '''OLT Express Germany'''. The island flights were taken over by a new independent company, [[OFD Ostfriesischer-Flug-Dienst]].


⚫
In August 2012 [[Netherlands|Dutch]] company Panta Holdings announced it was buying OLT Germany from Amber Gold and also finalised the purchase of [[Contact Air]]. Panta also owns [[Denim Air]] and Maas Air Leasing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/avd_08_09_2012_p04-01-484216.xml |title=OLT Express Owner Sees Low Labor Costs Key To Profit |publisher=Aviationweek.com |date=9 August 2012 |access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref> Both subsidiaries own Fokker aircraft and Maas leased out two [[Fokker 100]] to Contact Air. In December 2012 it was announced that the wet-lease contract with [[Swiss International Air Lines]] would not be renewed and was scheduled to conclude in March 2013.
OLT Express Germany completed the purchase of Contact Air in September 2012. The purchase included Contact Air's wet-lease contract to operate two aircraft on behalf of [[Swiss International Air Lines]].


⚫
OLT Express Germany ceased all operations on 27 January 2013 due to financial difficulties.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="austrianaviation1"/> The company filed for [[bankruptcy]] two days later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aero.de/news-16754/OLT-Express-Germany-stellt-Insolvenzantrag.html |title=Luftfahrt-Nachrichten und -Community |publisher=aero.de |date=29 January 2013 |access-date=17 May 2013}}</ref>
⚫
The same week as the Contact Air purchase Amber Gold was reported to be experiencing financial difficulty and funding for the deal was in question.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://serwisy.gazetaprawna.pl/transport/artykuly/635356,olt_express_podnosi_ceny_biletow_i_kasuje_trasy_ucieka_przed_bankructwem.html |title=OLT Express podnosi ceny biletów i kasuje trasy. Ucieka przed bankructwem? - Transport - Gazeta Prawna - partner pracodawcy, narzędzie specjalisty |publisher=Serwisy.gazetaprawna.pl |date=25 July 2012 |accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://biznes.onet.pl/olt-express-podnosi-ceny-i-idzie-na-sprzedaz,51502,5199344,news-detal|title=OLT Express raises prices and goes on sale|publisher=Biznes.onet.pl|accessdate=6 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hofmann |first=Kurt |url=http://atwonline.com/airline-finance-data/news/olt-express-germany-finalizes-acquisition-contact-air-0719 |title=OLT Express Germany finalizes acquisition of Contact Air |publisher=ATWOnline |date=19 July 2012 |accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref> On July 27, the Polish OLT Express suspended all services without notice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wyborcza.pl/1,75248,12199932,OLT_Express_od_piatku_zawiesza_wszystkie_swoje_rejsy.html |title=OLT Express zawiesił do odwołania wszystkie swoje rejsy |publisher=Wyborcza.pl |date= |accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>

⚫
In August 2012 [[Netherlands|Dutch]] company Panta Holdings announced it was buying OLT Germany from Amber Gold and also finalised the purchase of [[Contact Air]]. Panta also owns [[Denim Air]] and Maas Air Leasing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/avd_08_09_2012_p04-01-484216.xml |title=OLT Express Owner Sees Low Labor Costs Key To Profit |publisher=Aviationweek.com |date=9 August 2012 |accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref> Both subsidiaries own Fokker aircraft and Maas leased out two [[Fokker 100]] to Contact Air.

In December 2012 it was announced that the wet-lease contract with [[Swiss International Air Lines]] would not be renewed and was scheduled to conclude in March 2013.

⚫
OLT Express Germany ceased all operations on 27 January 2013 due to financial difficulties.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="austrianaviation1"/> The company filed for [[bankruptcy]] two days later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aero.de/news-16754/OLT-Express-Germany-stellt-Insolvenzantrag.html |title=Luftfahrt-Nachrichten und -Community |publisher=aero.de |date=29 January 2013 |accessdate=17 May 2013}}</ref>


==Destinations==
==Destinations==
Line 78: Line 73:
** [[Saarbrücken]] - [[Saarbrücken Airport]] '''Hub'''
** [[Saarbrücken]] - [[Saarbrücken Airport]] '''Hub'''
* {{Flag|Switzerland}}
* {{Flag|Switzerland}}
** [[Zurich]] - [[Zurich Airport]]
** [[Zürich]] - [[Zurich Airport]]
* {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
* {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
** [[London]] - [[London Southend Airport]]
** [[London]] - [[London Southend Airport]]
Line 93: Line 88:
** [[Belgrade]] - [[Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport]]
** [[Belgrade]] - [[Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport]]
* {{flag|Switzerland}}
* {{flag|Switzerland}}
** [[Zurich]] - [[Zurich Airport]] '''Base'''
** [[Zürich]] - [[Zurich Airport]] '''Base'''


==Fleet==
==Fleet==
[[File:Fokker 100 der OLT Express.jpg|thumb|A OLT Express Germany [[Fokker 100]]]]
[[File:OLT_Express_Fokker_100_(F-28-0100)_D-AOLH_(23390271522).jpg|thumb|OLT Express Germany [[Fokker 100]]]]
{{As of|2013|January 28}} the OLT Express Germany fleet consisted of the following aircraft:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/OLT-Express-Germany#AirlineFleetList |title=OLT Express Germany Fleet Details and History - Planespotters.net Just Aviation |publisher=Planespotters.net |date=13 September 2012 |accessdate=5 November 2012}}</ref>
{{As of|2013|01}}, the OLT Express Germany fleet consisted of the following aircraft:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.planespotters.net/airline/OLT-Express-Germany#AirlineFleetList |title=OLT Express Germany Fleet Details and History - Planespotters.net Just Aviation |publisher=Planespotters.net |date=13 September 2012 |access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref>


{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Aircraft
! style="background:red;"| <span style="color:white;">Aircraft</span>
! Total
! style="width:25pt; background:red;"| <span style="color:white;">At bankruptcy</span>
! Orders
! style="width:25pt; background:red;"| <span style="color:white;">Orders</span>
! Passengers
! style="background:red;"| <span style="color:white;">Passengers</span>
! Notes
! style="background:red;"| <span style="color:white;">Note</span>
|-
|-
| [[Fokker 100]]
| [[Fokker 100]]
Line 117: Line 112:
| style="text-align:center;" | —
| style="text-align:center;" | —
| style="text-align:center;" | 56
| style="text-align:center;" | 56
|
| D-AOLB sold to [[Darwin Airline]] to registered HB-IYI
|-
|-
| [[Saab 340]]
| [[Saab 340]]
Line 135: Line 130:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat-inline|OLT}}
{{commons category inline|OLT Express Germany}}
* [http://www.oltexpress.de/ Official website]
* [http://www.oltexpress.de/ Official website]
{{Portalbar|East Frisia|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Portal bar|Germany|Companies|Aviation}}


{{Airlines_of_Germany}}
{{Airlines_of_Germany}}

{{coord|53.38893|N|7.22852|E|region:DE-NI_type:landmark_source:dewiki|display=title}}
{{coord|53.38893|N|7.22852|E|region:DE-NI_type:landmark_source:dewiki|display=title}}


Line 148: Line 142:
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2013]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2013]]
[[Category:1958 establishments in West Germany]]
[[Category:1958 establishments in West Germany]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Germany]]
[[Category:German companies established in 1958]]
[[Category:German companies disestablished in 2013]]

Latest revision as of 23:18, 8 October 2024

This article is about the German airline. For the Polish sister carrier, see OLT Express.

OLT Express Germany
IATA ICAO Call sign
S2 OLT OLTRA
Founded1958 (as Ostfriesische Lufttaxi)
Ceased operations30 January 2013
Hubs
Fleet size15
Destinations10
Parent companyPanta Holdings
HeadquartersBremen, Germany
Key peopleJoachim Klein (CEO)
Websiteoltexpress.de

OLT Express Germany (formerly OLT Ostfriesische Lufttransport GmbH or OLT) was[1][2] an airline based in Bremen in Germany.[3] The company moved to Bremen from Emden in February 2012. It operated regional scheduled and charter flights linking northern Germany to other parts of the country and Bremen to other European destinations. Its main base was Bremen Airport.[4]

History

[edit]

Founding and first years

[edit]

OLT was founded on 1 November 1958 by Martin Dekker and Jan Janssen as Ostfriesische Lufttaxi - Dekker und Janssen OHG, initially operating air taxi flights to islands in the North Sea from Emden. The first aircraft was a KZ VII from Skandinavisk Aero Industri A/S in Copenhagen.[5] In 1961 the airline hired its first own staff: a pilot and a 'groundstewardess'.

OLT had, by 1968, five aircraft and operated 13,174 flights.[5] After Janssen's death the company AGIV (Aktiengesellschaft für Verkehrswesen) and the shipping company Reederei Visser & van Doornums became 1970 new shareholders and the airlines was renamed into Ostfriesische Lufttaxi GmbH. A schedule service from Emden to Bremen and Hamburg was introduced then.[5] Soon later AGIV became the single shareholder of OLT and positioned the new CEO Christian Ulrich Baron von Kaltenborn-Stachau.

39 Years of operation as OLT - Ostfriesische Lufttransport

[edit]
A Saab 2000 of OLT - Ostfriesische Lufttransport

In 1972 the airlines was renamed again, now into Ostfriesische Lufttransport GmbH (OLT) and Kaltenborn-Stachau took over 26%. Several new schedule services were introduced like from Kassel, Düsseldorf to Cologne/Bonn in 1973 and Hanover, Saarbrücken, Stuttgart, Münster/Osnabrück and Frankfurt in 1974.[5] For the regional airlines business strategy the company DLT (Deutsche Lufttransport-Gesellschaft mbH) was created and OLT was renamed into DLT Luftverkehrsgesellschaft. But soon later AGIV decided to split the Emden (OLT) operation away from DLT. This unit (Emden operation) was sold then to AG EMS and OLT restart its old core activities under its own name.[5] To ensure a flexible operation, especially in the charter sector, OLT organised 1976 a joint platform called OFD with the participating airlines OLT, FLN and Dollart GmbH.[5]

At the beginning 1990s, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the airlines faced an increase of their business activities. OLT started operations in the former East German provinces and 1990 took over Roland Air from Bremen.[6] In 1991 OLT set up a base in Bremen and started with its scheduled services there. In 1996 all OFD activities were integrated into OLT and therefore under the control of AG EMS.[5]

OLT is one of very few airlines that has succeeded in driving a low-cost rival off a route. In December 2005, easyJet started daily flights between Bristol and its base in Hamburg. OLT was operating twice-daily weekday-only services. The route being a predominantly business route, frequency won out over price and easyJet cancelled the route at the end of October 2006.[7]

OLT Express Germany

[edit]

OLT announced on 4 August 2011 it would undergo major restructuring after losing its shuttle flights contract with Airbus Industries. Effective October 2011 all Fokker and Saab aircraft operations would stop and 100 of its 120 employees were to leave the company. Only the 'island-hopping' services from Emden to Heligoland and Borkum with small aircraft were to remain.[8] In August 2011, OLT was bought by a Polish shadow banking Ponzi scheme company Amber Gold, which also bought Polish regional carrier Jet Air and the Polish charter airline Yes Airways. These two Polish companies were combined under the brand OLT Express while OLT became OLT Express Germany. The island flights were taken over by a new independent company, OFD Ostfriesischer-Flug-Dienst.

OLT Express Germany completed the purchase of Contact Air in September 2012. The purchase included Contact Air's wet-lease contract to operate two aircraft on behalf of Swiss International Air Lines. The same week as the Contact Air purchase Amber Gold was reported to be experiencing financial difficulty and funding for the deal was in question.[9][10][11] On 27 July, the Polish OLT Express suspended all services without notice.[12]

In August 2012 Dutch company Panta Holdings announced it was buying OLT Germany from Amber Gold and also finalised the purchase of Contact Air. Panta also owns Denim Air and Maas Air Leasing.[13] Both subsidiaries own Fokker aircraft and Maas leased out two Fokker 100 to Contact Air. In December 2012 it was announced that the wet-lease contract with Swiss International Air Lines would not be renewed and was scheduled to conclude in March 2013.

OLT Express Germany ceased all operations on 27 January 2013 due to financial difficulties.[1][2] The company filed for bankruptcy two days later.[14]

Destinations

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OLT operated the following services (as of January 2013). Note that all island flights had been transferred to the independent company OFD Ostfriesischer-Flug-Dienst back in 2011.

Operated as OLT Express Germany

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Operated for Swiss International Air Lines

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Fleet

[edit]
OLT Express Germany Fokker 100

As of January 2013, the OLT Express Germany fleet consisted of the following aircraft:[15]

Aircraft Total Orders Passengers Notes
Fokker 100 10 — 100
Saab 2000 4 — 56
Saab 340 1 — 37
Total 15 —

References

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  1. ^ a b "Luftfahrt-Nachrichten und -Community". aero.de. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  2. ^ a b Austrian Aviation Net. "Austrian Aviation Net: Grounding bei OLT Express". Austrianaviation.net. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  3. ^ "Imprint." (Archived 2 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine) OLT. Retrieved on 4 August 2011. "OLT Express Germany GmbH Henrich-Focke-Strasse 6 28199 Bremen"
  4. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 10 April 2007. p. 58.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g [1] Archived 14 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "OLT fliegt seit 40 Jahren nach Helgoland " Günstig, Urlaub, Reisen, Billig verreisen, Infos, Tipps und Ratgeber " Holidaystarter - News". Holidaystarter.com. 23 February 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  7. ^ "OLT celebrates reaching 50 by acquiring its first jets for Airbus 'shuttle' flights". anna.aero. 19 September 2008.
  8. ^ "OLT schrumpft zurück zum Inselhüpfer". Airliners.de. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  9. ^ "OLT Express podnosi ceny biletów i kasuje trasy. Ucieka przed bankructwem? - Transport - Gazeta Prawna - partner pracodawcy, narzędzie specjalisty". Serwisy.gazetaprawna.pl. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  10. ^ "OLT Express raises prices and goes on sale". Biznes.onet.pl. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  11. ^ Hofmann, Kurt (19 July 2012). "OLT Express Germany finalizes acquisition of Contact Air". ATWOnline. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  12. ^ "OLT Express zawiesił do odwołania wszystkie swoje rejsy". Wyborcza.pl. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  13. ^ "OLT Express Owner Sees Low Labor Costs Key To Profit". Aviationweek.com. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  14. ^ "Luftfahrt-Nachrichten und -Community". aero.de. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  15. ^ "OLT Express Germany Fleet Details and History - Planespotters.net Just Aviation". Planespotters.net. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
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Media related to OLT Express Germany at Wikimedia Commons

53°23′20″N 7°13′43″E / 53.38893°N 7.22852°E / 53.38893; 7.22852

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