Viking Cruises.......captivating a captive audience

This is something you don't see every day as we don't usually cover cruise holidays or cruise companies on this site -  well,  you wouldn't really expect us to, seeing as we're called Air101 after all.  However,  I'm making an exception to that rule right now, for the case for Viking Cruises, a destination-focused operator that was founded in 1997 specialising in journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world.  

Whilst much of Europe and indeed the world has been in lockdown because of the continuing pandemic, with few people travelling and few cruises operating, Viking has stepped up to the mark in entertaining a captive audience.

Viking TV has kept both spirits up and the wanderlust alive with presenting an amazing array of programmes, videos and livestreams that have been both entertaining and informative - a really wonderful collection on an amazing array of subjects.  Viking.TV went live in mid-March 2020, right at the early stages of the pandemic and was conceived as a way to build community, stay connected and share positive experiences while people are staying home, rather than travelling, captivating the captive if you will. 

The livestreams are at a set time each day and cover different topics, interviews, experiences and destinations.  One of my favourites has been the series of mainly half-hour programmes from the real 'Downton Abby'  Highclere Castle with the marvellous Countess of Carnarvon. A rather enchanting journey behind the scenes at a house that dates back to 749AD that featured so heavily in the TV series and film. 

Air Antilles to Become First Caribbean Operator, First Certified Steep Approach Operator with Purchase of Viking Series 400 Twin Otters

Photo Viking Air

Viking Air Limited of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and Air Antilles, of Guadeloupe, French West Indies, have signed an agreement for the purchase of two Viking Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft, making Air Antilles the first commercial operator of the Series 400 in the Caribbean. 

Also forming part of the purchase agreement, Air Antilles will become the first Series 400 Twin Otter operator to receive European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for steep approach operations.

The two Viking-built Series 400 Twin Otters are scheduled for delivery to Air Antilles in the last quarter of 2019 and will be configured as 19-passenger regional commuter landplanes to replace the two legacy de Havilland Series 300 aircraft currently in commercial service with the airline.

Viking Signs Multi-Aircraft Sales Agreement for Next Generation CL-515 Aerial Firefighter & Multi-Role Amphibious Aircraft

Viking Air Limited, a global leader of utility aircraft, support and services and manufacturer of the world-renowned Twin Otter, today announced a seven aircraft sales contract for six new-production CL-515 aircraft and one CL-415EAF.

The CL-515 is a newly developed, technically advanced multi-mission aerial firefighting aircraft – the next generation of the CANADAIR CL-415, the aviation industry's benchmark amphibious aircraft and the backbone of firefighting missions around the globe. With enhanced firefighting capabilities, and the flexibility to support a wide range of critical mission operations, the CL-515 will be a vitally important strategic asset to fleets around the world.