In its early years, Cimber Air primarily focused on operating charter flights, a strategy that allowed the airline to establish itself within the European regional market. Over time, the company sought to expand and venture into scheduled passenger services.
One of the boldest decisions in the airline’s early history was the order of the VFW 614, a regional aircraft developed in West Germany. Cimber Air was one of only three airlines to invest in this aircraft, and it had the distinction of being the first to place it into commercial service, which it did in August 1975. However, despite the initial expectations, the VFW 614 did not achieve the commercial success that had been anticipated. Within less than five years, the aircraft was retired from service due to limited market acceptance and various operational challenges.
Almost concurrently with the withdrawal of the VFW 614s, Cimber Air added two Fokker F-28 Fellowship aircraft to its fleet, specifically the Mk. 3000 version with a seating capacity for 64 passengers. However, these aircraft did not remain long in the company’s direct operations, as they were soon leased to other carriers.
Both Fokker F-28s returned to Cimber Air in 1986, although their stay was once again temporary. In 1987, they were leased to the Australian airline East-West Airlines, which subsequently acquired them.
In the following decades, Cimber Air continued to modernize and diversify its fleet, incorporating new aircraft types and adapting to the changing dynamics of the European regional aviation market. Despite the inherent challenges of the aviation industry, the airline remained active for more than thirty years.
However, on May 3, 2012, a significant chapter came to a close: on that day, Cimber Air officially ceased operations, marking the end of a noteworthy legacy in European regional aviation.
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