Blue Wings

Blue Wings AG
Company type	Aktiengesellschaft (AG)
Industry	Airline
Founded	2002
Defunct	2010
Fate	Filed for bankruptcy
Headquarters	Bocholt, Düsseldorf Airport, Germany
Area served	Turkey, Middle East, Russia, Europe, Africa, Asia
Products	Charter airline services
Owner	Russian National Reserve Corporation (48% share via Alpstream AG)

Blue Wings AG was a German charter airline headquartered at Düsseldorf Airport, operating flights primarily to destinations in Turkey, the Middle East, and Russia. Its main office was situated on airport grounds in Bocholt, Germany.

Founding and Expansion

Established in 2002, Blue Wings obtained its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) on 27 June 2003 and commenced flight operations the following month. Initially, the airline operated charter services from Düsseldorf using a wet-leased Airbus A320. In June 2006, the Russian National Reserve Corporation (NRC) acquired a 48% share through its Zurich-based subsidiary Alpstream AG, intending to strengthen collaboration with NRC’s Red Wings Airlines.

On 6 October 2006, Blue Wings entered into an agreement with JetBlue Airways to purchase five used Airbus A320-200 aircraft, adopting a similar paint scheme to minimize expenses. Shortly thereafter, on 17 October, the airline placed an order for 16 new Airbus A320s and 4 Airbus A321s, a deal announced during the Farnborough Air Show.

Later Developments and Shutdown

On 30 December 2009, Germany's Federal Office for Civil Aviation withdrew Blue Wings' operating license due to concerns about financial solvency, forcing a suspension of operations. The carrier briefly resumed services after signing a charter contract with Abu Dhabi-based VIP operator Elite Aviation on 23 April, which led to the reinstatement of its license on 5 May.

In August 2009, Iraqi Airways leased three Airbus A320-232 aircraft from Blue Wings for routes within Europe.

Despite these measures, Blue Wings discontinued all flights on 13 January 2010 and filed for bankruptcy amid the economic downturn caused by the Great Recession and waning investor support. Prior to closure, its corporate headquarters were located in Terminal A at Düsseldorf Airport; earlier offices had been housed in Hangar 8 at the same location.