Bahrain Air announces the establishment of Blue Nile Airlines; Mar-2010 launch planned

Bahrain Air Managing Director, Ibrahim Al Hamer, announced the establishment of Blue Nile Airlines (TradeArabia News, 23-Jan-2010). Details include:

• Paid-up capital: USD20 million;
• Ownership: Sudan-based Nile Aviation Services Company is a JV between Progress Company Limited (Sudan), HMA Holding (Bahrain) and Afaq Company (Egypt), with these companies to be major stakeholders in the new airline. Bahrain-based Gulf Aviation Technologies will offer technical support services to the carrier, although no further details were provided;
• Bahrain Air involvement: Bahrain Air will "assist the new company with all the technical and operational knowhow for the speedy launch of the company". The carrier will also wet lease aircraft to the start-up;
• Launch: 28-Mar-2010;
• Network: Will launch its first flight from Khartoum to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and East African destinations;
• CEO: Abdullah Elfadil.