Drahen Airways

Drahen Airways is the flag carrier of Drahen, registered in Telos and headquartered on the grounds of Traus International Airport, which is also its main hub. The airline is Drahen's largest airline by fleet size, passengers carried international flights and international destinations. From its hub at Traus International Airport, Drahen flies to over 200 destinations in 120 countries, using a fleet of more than 200 aircraft. The airline was founded in 1480 and holds three subsidiaries: JetGo, a low-cost regional carrier, Drahen Cargo, which an air-freight company with over 60 destinations, and DA Engineering, which handles maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) in 9 different countries. Drahen also holds stakes in a number of its sister airlines.

History

Early Years

Drahen Airways was started in 1480 as the Drahen State Airline Administration (DSAA), as a sub-department of the Ministry of Defense. The original purpose of the State Airline Adminstration was to operate the aircraft used by the Imperial family and government officials. The DSAA's original fleet was compromised of 6 aircraft, which was expanded to 10 in 1487 as the demand from officals and the Imperial family for air transport grew.

In 1495, the State Airline Administration was turned over to the Ministry of Transportation with the purpose of developing a national domestic airline to connect the cities of the Navajae Jungle to the Isle of Drahn. The DSAA received $10 million from the Imperial Treasury and absorbed the Imperial Air Mail Service to start the domestic airline, and hired several experienced Brigandian airline executives from Oslanburg and Lanlania to oversee the new company. The absorption of the Imperial Air Mail Service gave a kickstart to the company, as it gave the new airline a cadre of well experienced and trained pilots and mechanics and firm logistics chain. By 1497, the airline had started international service to nearby countries and in 1499 started a code-sharing agreement with Luft Wurberg, beginning intercontinental service to the greater Brigandian continent.

Jet Age and Expansion

By 1511, the fleet had expanded to 35 aircraft and some 40 destinations, 10 of them international. In 1511, the State Airline Adminstration moved into the jet age with the adoption of the Scholden Luftvaerks 430 The adoption of the SL430 increased the fleet size to 40 aircraft and allowed Drahen Airways to open a non-codeshared intercontinental non-stop route to Oslanburg and Lanlania in addition to a non-stop route to Nyland. SL430 allowed Drahen to quickly gain a monopoly on air travel in East Skathia, being one of the first and only adopters of the jet aircraft in the region.

In addition to the new jet aircraft, the Drahen State Airline Administration had a massive restructuring and a re-branding to become Drahen Airlines. Part of the reason was the somewhat dismissal on-time record the State Airline Administration had, with a less than 40% on-time rate. A new slogan was created, "Flying the future of Drahen," and the airline was restructured to more resemble a corporation, rather than a government agency. The new airline focused providing a sleek and modern experience that was able to compete against Nyland and Brigandian airlines. The government invested over $50 million over 5 years on the restructuring and re-branding, one of the greatest government expenditures during the 1509-1514 time period. However, the rebranding worked and Drahen Airways quickly gained a new reputation of being one of the best airlines in Skathia.

By the introduction of the Scholden Luftvaerks 440 in 1523, the first wide body aircraft in service with Drahen, the airline had grown to over 60 aircraft and some 80 destinations, mostly in Skathia, but also some major destinations in Brigandia and Ostra, most of them code shared with Luft Wurberg. In addition, the airline had become quite financially successful, reaching over 2,500 Revenue passenger-kilometers (in millions) in 1523.

Drahen Airways continued to expand throughout the 1520, being the only major airline in East Skathia during that time. Being the international launch customer of the Scholden Luftvaerks 460 in 1532 and the purchase of Tuyets PLC from Luft Wurnberg in 1533, however, but Drahen Airways on the international stage. The SL460 allowed cost effective, direct transcontinental fights from Drahen to Nyland and continental flights to Brigandia, Mestra, and Ostra. The purchase of and re-branding of Tuyets PLC, then a small regional subsidiary, to JetGo, one of the first low-cost carriers, also proved very successful in the end, though at the time Tuyets going though some financial difficulty. JetGo allowed Drahen Airways to focus on long range continental flights and the idea of a low-cost carrier, though unpopular at the time, proved to be very successful by the mid-1550s. The airline also established its 1st overseas hub in Docrun Fenru International Airport in 1535 due to growth in the Brigandian sphere.

Privatization and Slump

Until 1530, Drahen Air had been state corporation, 100% owned by the government of Drahen. However, with the election of progressive Prime Minister (name) in (date) several previously government owned companies were privatized. The IPO of Drahen Airways proved to be highly successful, being the second largest behind Imperial Oil, also a privatized corporation. With the economy soaring in the 1530s and tourism, both to and from Drahen increasing, Drahen Airways continued to grow, by 1550 having a fleet of over 140 aircraft and flying to over 100 destinations.

However with the worldwide economic slump in the early 1540s, Drahen Airways was hit hard, as were many airlines. As passenger numbers and revenue continued to drop, Drahen Airways found itself in a precarious financial situation, due to contracts signed in the late 1530s with Imperium Aerospace and Scholden Luftvaerk for aircraft purchase, Drahen Airways found itself posting its first loss in over 20 years in 1542 of over $700 million, leading to a 40% drop in share value. With fears of imminent bankruptcy caused by tanking stocks, the government stepped in and in 1543 purchased millions of credits worth of stocks, gaining a majority share of the airline, to help slow the decrease in stock value. It was during this time that JetGO stepped onto the stage, as markets slumped the airline was able to provide low-cost airfare, attracting many customers that had used to fly on more expensive flag carriers. JetGO was able to continue to grow thoughout the recession, though growth slowed significant.

By 1546 however, the economy had started to recover and the Drahen Airways began to grow again, recouping it's losses by 1549 and purchasing (blank) an air freight company from (some country).

Modern Day

Today Drahen Airways has a fleet of 178 aircraft and flies to 182 destinations across the 5 inhabited continents of Siora and it is one of several airlines flying to all five Sioran continents (Avidna, Brigidna, Kvaenna, Ostara and Skathia). Drahen Airways joined Verdens Vinger, a Sioran airline alliance in 1561. It is still the largest airline in East Skathia and served 38.5 million passengers in 1571. It has a primary hub at Traus International Airport and Docrun Fenru International Airport, and focus cities at Mahdiraaju International Airport, Gregminster International Airport, and Albretch Lund Airport. In addition, it is one of the first airlines to incorporate a propulsion controlled aircraft system in all of their passenger aircraft. In 1570, the airline signed a contract with Scholden Luftvaerks for 40 Scholden Luftvaerks 480s and 30 Scholden Luftvaerks 470s.

Destinations

Template:Main Article Drahen Airways and it's subsidaries serve over 200 destinations in +90 countries and territories. It is also one of several airlines flying to all six Sioran continents (Avidna, Brigidna, Kvaenna, Ostara, Skathia and Southerland).

Fleet

Current Fleet

As of Vintyr 1573, the Drahen Airlines mainline fleet (excluding all subsidiaries) consists of the following aircraft:

Drahen Airways Mainline Fleet

Aircraft	In Service	On Order	Passengers
			F	B	E+	E	Total
Scholden SL480-90	36	4	—	44	35	116	195
Scholden SL480-100	44	12	8	56	42	132	236
Scholden SL470-80	22	5	4	44	32	175	255
Scholden SL470-90	18	10	4	58	28	184	274
Scholden SL460-30	30	8	—	30	49	135	214
Scholden SL460-40	28	6	—	39	63	140	242
Total	178	43

Luft Wurberg Cargo Fleet

Aircraft	In Service	On Order	Notes
Scholden SL440-80F	10	2
Scholden SL470F	6	—
Antonov Design Bureau An-124-100	4	—
Total	20	2

Services

Flight Classes

Drahen Airways offers four classes of service - first class, business class, economy class and premium economy class. The last major update to the cabin and in-flight service occurred in 1568, and cost the airline over a billion credits.

• First Class - First class seats are only available on three types of aircraft of the Drahen Air fleet - SL480-100, SL470-80, and SL470-90. Features include a 24-inch in-flight entertainment screen with video-touch screen handsets, adjustable in-seat lighting, and passenger control unit, inside a fixed-shell cabin with an 35 in (89 cm) wide seat, foldable into an 80 in (203 cm) bed. In addition a power outlet, a large tray table, and other amenities a provided.

First class passengers check in a separate counter and can use priority security screening where available. In-flight service includes pre-departure beverages, table linens and gourmet multi course meals. In addition, at major airports, Drahen Airways provides complementary limousine rides to the airport and access to first class lounges where applicable. Paying passengers receive x1.75 bonus points for every flight.

• Business Class - Business Class seats are available on all aircraft flown by Drahen Airways. Features include massage function, privacy partition, winged headrest with six-way movement, two individual reading lights and an overhead light per seat, in-seat power supply, USB Ports, stowage beside the seat, two new seating positions and an 18-inch in-flight entertainment screen. The seat width is 30 in (76 cm) with a recline of 132 degrees and can be folded into a 78 in (198.1 cm) length bed.

Business passengers check in at separate counters and can use priority security screening where available. In-flight service includes pre-departure beverages, table linens and multi course meals. Passengers are also given priority with boarding and baggage handling and access to the Drahen and Verdens Vinger lounges. Paying passengers receive x1.5 bonus points for every flight.

• Premium Economy - Drahen Air started offering Premium Economy seats starting in 1560, and today all of it's aircraft have a premium economy option. The seats have a 38-inch pitch (compared to a 32-inch pitch in standard economy), at 19.5 inches wide with an 8-inch recline. Premium Economy passengers have priority boarding on flights and receive x1.25 bonus points for every paying flight.

• Economy - Economy class on Drahen Airways provides seats that recline up to 121 degrees. The current seats included winged headrests, a personal telephone, high definition 10 inch screens featuring the latest in flight entertainment with a USB port. Paying passengers

Imperial Club

Imperial Club, the frequent flyer program of Drahen Airways, awards members points based on miles traveled and class of service. Membership into the program is free and is divided into four tiers.

• Member - The basic level at which a passenger can start earning miles
• Silver - Passengers who accumulate at least 25,000 points or 30 segments in a calendar year are enrolled in the Silver level of the Imperial Club. Silver members are offered, complimentary premium economy seating at 24 hours prior to time of departure, Complimentary Upgrades, a 25% mileage bonus on flown miles, and Verdens Vinger Silver status.
• Gold - Passengers who accumulate at least 50,000 points or 60 segments in a calendar year are enrolled in the Gold level of the Imperial Club. Gold members receive all Imperial Club Silver benefits plus a 50% mileage bonus, higher upgrade priority, access to exit row seating in advance of flight, Verdens Vinger Gold status, and lounge access when traveling internationally on any Verdens Vinger member airline the same day
• Platinum - Passengers who accumulate at least 75,000 points or 90 segments in a calendar year are enrolled in the Platimun level of the Imperial Club. Platinum members receive all Gold benefits, plus higher upgrade priority for Complimentary Upgrades, two Regional Upgrades, as well as a 75% bonus on redeemable miles.

Lounges

First and business class passengers, and Imperial Club Platinum and Gold members have access to 33 Drahen Airways lounges in 32 cities. Imperial Club Silver members are able to access the lounges at Traus International Airport and Docrun Fenru International Airport. At airports in which Drahen Air does not operate a departure lounge, a third-party departure lounge is usually provided for First and Business class passengers and Imperial Club Platinum and Gold members.

Food and Drink

Drahen Airways offers a wide variety of food option on each flight with at least 1 regional dish option served on applicable flights. Drahen Air also offers special meal options in all classes, based on age, dietary restrictions, preference and religious observance.

Business and first class passengers may also choose to use the "Book the Cook" service on some flights, where specific dishes may be selected in advance from a more extensive menu.

Entertainment

Drahen Airways was a early adopter of the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, with the first aircraft equiped in 1551. Today all classes feature a personal HD, widescreen IFE system. The current system offers 1200 channels of pre-selected entertainment in over 39 lanugages in addition to Bluetooth audio, personal video playback, and docking capability with a touch capable smartdevice. THe IFE system provides passengers with a direct data link toImperial News Network, which is complemented by moving-map software and external cameras. In addition, the airline offers high-speed, in-flight internet service along with in-flight use of mobile phones.