Eznis Airways
This article needs to be updated. (July 2019) |
Eznis Airways LLC (Mongolian: Изинис Эйрвэйз ХХК, romanized: Izinis Eirweiz HHK, [ˈit͡sinis ˈɛːrwɛj(t)s xɑxɑˈkɑ]) is a scheduled and charter airline based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Once, it was the largest domestic airline with services to a number of Mongolian domestic points and an international route to Hong Kong and Russia. It also had authorization for, but did not operate, international services to Kazakhstan.[2] The airline initially ceased all operations in 2014, but in 2019 it restarted operations. The company slogan is Fly easy, Fly smart! EZNIS Airways operates a fleet of Boeings that allow a greater efficiency in the maintenance and support of our low-cost airline model.
| Founded | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Commenced operations | 2006 2019 relaunched |
| Ceased operations | 2014[1] |
| Hubs | Chinggis Khaan International Airport |
| Fleet size | 1 |
| Destinations | 2 |
| Headquarters | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia |
| Key people |
|
| Website | eznis.com |
History edit
In 2004, the Newcom Group, undertook feasibility research into starting up new domestic air transport services in Mongolia: in January 2006 they founded Eznis Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary. Eznis was granted Air Operator Certificate (AOC) No. 11 by the Mongolian Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA),[3] and Eznis launched its inaugural service on December 6, 2006.[4]
From 2005 to 2006, Eznis pilots were trained and type rated at Ansett Training Center in Australia, followed by line training supervised by former Japan Air Commuter captains. Qantas provided emergency training for the cabin crew while Saab Aircraft AB provided maintenance type rating training for maintenance staff. Crew attended CRM training by Boeing and dangerous goods training by IATA. GE and Hamilton provided engine and propeller line maintenance training for Eznis technicians. Eznis has full insurance coverage on its aircraft, spare parts and liabilities provided by AON in London. Eznis employs approximately 200 staff. [citation needed]
In July 2008 Eznis Airways launched the Radixx computer reservation system: the airline intends to introduce Internet booking for tour operators, travel agencies and general public.
Eznis Airways has gained dominant position in the domestic air travel market of Mongolia and carried its 100,000th passenger in November 2008[citation needed].
The airline began its first international regular services to Hailar, China in August 2009. In March 2010 Eznis Airways started operating flights to Hailar through Choibalsan in Dornod province of Mongolia.[5] Launched in June 2010, Ulan-Ude, Russia was Eznis' second scheduled international destination.[6]
Eznis Airways LLC ceased all operations from 22 May 2014 due to the financial difficulties and the current situation at the airline industry[7] after restructuring measures failed during the last two years.[1]
Eznis Airways, under a new ownership group, is to re-launch services in 2019, operating Boeing 737s on international routes. A Boeing 737-700 has already been acquired pending the airline's launch.[8] Eznis Airways was relaunched in the second quarter of 2019.
Corporate affairs edit
The head office was located in the Shine Dul Building (Шинэ Дөл Билдинг) in Bayanzürkh, Ulan Bator. The head office moved there on 27 August 2011.[9] With its main base located at Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport the airline sold tickets through the Central Ticketing Office in Ulaanbaatar, outstation branches in ten provinces of Mongolia, including Bayankhongor, Bayan-Ulgii, Dornod, Gobi-Altai, Khovd, Khuvsgul, Umnugobi, Uvs, Zavkhan as well as Hailar, China and Ulan-Ude, Russia.[10] In the addition, the carrier's tickets can be bought at travel agencies: AirTrans, AirTicket, AirMarket, AirLink, MonAirTour, AirChamber, AirTravel and AviaComMongolia.[11]
The airline's name “eznis” means ‘easiness in flight’. The name consists of two parts which when put together say 'easy flight': the first two letters “ez” stand for “easy” in English and “nis” is a Mongolian word meaning “fly”. The Eznis logo represents a compass with eight destinations. A soft, flower-type image was chosen to give a relaxing and stress-free feeling to passengers.[12]
Destinations edit
Eznis Airways serves the following destinations:[13]
| Country | City | Airport | Notes | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong International Airport | |||
| Mongolia | Ulaanbaatar | Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport | Airport Closed | |
| Chinggis Khaan International Airport | Hub | |||
| South Korea | Busan | Gimhae International Airport | Terminated | |
Fleet edit
As of November 2022[update], Eznis Airways operates the following aircraft:[14][15][16]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A330-200 | 1 | — | 345 | ||
| Total | 1 | — | |||
In January 2009, the CEO of the airline Glen Pickard, stated[17] that Eznis Airways signed a LoI with Bombardier Aerospace for the purchase of seven Bombardier CSeries aircraft, although this was never reported as official by Bombardier.[18]
The airline made the decision to introduce jet aircraft in early 2011 and two Avro RJ85 aircraft (both ex Lufthansa Cityline airframes) joined the fleet. The first was delivered from the UK in June 2011 (registered as JU-9909) with the second arriving in September 2011 (JU-9915). The aircraft were primarily destined to be used on charter flying to mining sites in the Gobi desert and were modified for operations on gravel runways. Both Avros remain in service although only one is now dedicated to the Ulaanbaatar - Oyut Tolgoi route. The aircraft were also used on services to the west of the country (Khovd, Ulaangom and Ulgii) but reducing load factors and unrealistic fare structures made the routes uneconomic for the RJs to operate. Consequently, the airline now looked to the Bombardier Dash8-Q400 to restore its economic fortunes on its longer range domestic routes while the Avros continue to provide the lift capacity required by the mining companies. The Q400s had their Danish registration cancelled by 2015 (OY-YAG repainted and now operates as S2-AGW for US-Bangla Airlines).[19]
The Boeing 737 venture was four-month exercise for the company. It was leased with a view to EZNIS opening international routes to Seoul, Beijing and Hong Kong. However, Eznis' access to international routes was denied thereby making the Boeing 737 project nonviable. Apart from operating a few charter flights, the aircraft never entered scheduled service.
Products and services edit
| Products and services | Description |
|---|---|
| Scheduled services | Flights between Ulaanbaatar and Hong Kong |
| Charter services | Charter services to a number of domestic and international points in China, Russia and Kazakhstan |
| Cargo and mail | Cargo and mail transportation service to the airline's scheduled and charter destinations |
| EZ TOUR and EZ BIZ | Special offers for organizational clients, tour operators and travel agents |
Onboard services edit
The airline publishes a quarterly in-flight magazine "Smartway", in Mongolian and English languages, featuring articles about Mongolian nature, history, culture and tradition. The airline also offers Mongolian daily newspapers on its flights, and it sells items with the company name and logo. The items can be purchased during flight or from the airline's Central Ticketing Office in Ulaanbaatar.
Frequent flyer program edit
Eznis Airways launched EZ FLYER, the airline's frequent flyer program, on January 15, 2009. The programs provides passengers with an opportunity to earn free or discounted flights by collecting corresponding points from each flight taken: the customer is required to collect boarding passes and tickets from scheduled flights and turn them in for reward redemption.
References edit
- ^ a b "Mongolia's Eznis Airways suspends operations indefinitely".
- ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-04-03. p. 80.
- ^ "Home". mcaa.gov.mn.
- ^ . planespotters.net. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
- ^ http://www.eznisairways.com/_www/news.php?id=254 [permanent dead link]
- ^ http://www.eznisairways.com/_www/news.php?id=271 [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Statement | Eznis Airways, Mongolian Airline with flights to/From/In Mongolia". Archived from the original on 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
- ^ "North Korea and Mongolia may also attract LCCs". CAPA - Centre for Aviation. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ "Head office move Archived 2012-07-30 at archive.today." Eznis Airways. Saturday 27 August 2011. Retrieved on 21 September 2011. "New Office location: Shine Dul Building Narnii zam 99A, 25-r kohoroo 13th Khoroolol, Bayanzurkh duureg Ulaanbaatar 13374, Mongolia" - Address in Mongolian Archived 2012-09-07 at archive.today: "Шинэ Дөл Билдинг, Баянзүрх дүүрэг, 13-р хороолол, 25-р хороо, Нарны зам 99А"
- ^ . www.eznisairways.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ http://www.eznisairways.com/_www/news.php?id=276 [permanent dead link]
- ^ http://www.eznisairways.com/_www/pages.php?id=97&banner=ABOUT_EZNIS&titleid=5 [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Eznis Airways".
- ^ "Fleet". eznis.com.
- ^ "Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World. October 2019: 21.
- ^ "Eznis Airways Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ . January 9, 2009. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
- ^ Bombardier Inc. (July 10, 2012). "airBaltic Signs Letter of Intent for up to 20 Bombardier CSeries Airliners". Airline not mentioned between customers.
- ^ "Danish register of civil aircraft - OY-YAG - de Havilland Canada DHC-8-402Q Dash 8".