Gandalf Airlines was a regional airline based at Orio al Serio Airport near Milan, Italy, which was operational from March 28, 1998 to 2004. The idea behind the airline, when it was launched on the market, was that there was a niche of customers willing to pay a premium for quality service.G. Endres (editor) & Air Transport Intelligence, "World Airlines 2000", Flight International weekly magazine directory,

The airline operated a fleet of Dornier 328 aircraft in both jet and turboprop versions to a number of European destinations: Barcelona, Bari, Brescia, Brussels, Catania, Florence, Madrid, Milan, Paris (Charles de Gaulle), Paris (Orly), Pisa, Rome, Stuttgart, Trieste and Verona.N. Pedde, Almanacco delle Linee Aeree Italiane 1947-2007 (in Italian language), "Landra Helicus", GAN, Roma, 2007, Gandalf also had an agreement with Air France to feed the French carrier's international flights at Paris (Charles de Gaulle airport). The company experienced a good expansion phase in the late 1990s, but the crisis of 11 September 2001 and the subsequent global economic situation caused a sudden reduction in travellers. Gandalf then attempted to convert into a traditional airline, but without success.The initial difficulties were also reflected in the change of management: Carlo Peretti Chairman, Carlo Cattaneo President, Bruno azzalini Managing Director.G. Endres (editor) & Air Transport Intelligence, "World Airlines 2003", Flight International weekly magazine directory, U.K. By November 2003, Gandalf Airlines had cut most of its routes due to financial difficulties. Flight operations were halted on February 19, 2004.G. Endres (editor) & Air Transport Intelligence, "World Airlines 2004", Flight International weekly magazine directory, U.K.N. Pedde, Almanacco delle Linee Aeree Italiane 1947-2007 (in Italian language), "Landra Helicus", GAN, Roma, 2007, Bankruptcy was declared on the 29th by the Parma court, while on February 14, 2011, a request was made for the indictment of 16 people.

Fleet

+ FleetN. Pedde, Almanacco delle Linee Aeree Italiane 1947-2007 (in Italian language), "Landra Helicus", GAN, Roma, 2007, Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Notes ATR 42–300 1 1999 1999 TS-LBAleased from Tuninter Dornier 328-110 5 1999 2004 all with German (D-) registration Dornier 328JET-300 9 1999 2004 all with German (D-) registration

References

See also List of defunct airlines of Italy