Posted April 28, 2010 5:31 PM
By James Mellon
Start-up round-up
Despite the recent economic downturn there have still been new airlines starting operations across the world during this time. The number of these carriers may have slowed a bit during the last 18 months, but there are certain signs that things are beginning to pick up. Reviewing the start-up data has shown that there are a number of airlines who are in the process of acquiring their very first aircraft. Of course, just because the first aircraft has left the paint shop does not necessarily mean they are about to start flying passengers around, but these are a few to watch out for.
Interestingly these carriers will all use A320’s or 737’s, and why not given the abundance of spare second-hand airframes!
Acquiring a 737-300 formerly with Thomson, Czech Charter Airlines plan to start flying on services from Ostrava to Europe in time for summer. They have been established by the Central Connect Group. A company already familiar with running an airline as they already own the Saab 340 operator Central Connect Airlines, also known as JobAir.
New Georgian outfit Air Batumi will also start with a 737-300, and are planning to acquire two more over the next couple of years. The first will initially operate between the city of the airlines namesake and the capital Tbilisi. The website shows an impressive yet ambitious route network which could be filled out over time, but for now Batumi are also looking to operate to Istanbul and Kiev.
Having planned to start in 2009 with Embraer 145’s, a new Ecuadorean operator called Air Cuenca will also operate a Boeing 737 (although this one is a slightly smaller -500). The airframe originally flew with Aer Lingus, but will soon fly domestic services within Ecuador from Cuenca to Guayaquil and Quito.
The A320’s getting a new lease of life includes the first aircraft for Star Airways. A second will soon follow. The Albanian LCC will start services from Tirana to various destinations in Italy, and then other European capitals too.
The Nesma Group of Saudi Arabia will also start their very own new airline, and an A320 is currently being prepared to enable them to start operations. Nesma Airlines will actually be based in Egypt but will fly services to the Saudi Kingdom, plus other Middle Eastern destinations to be coupled with some more cities in Europe. Exact details have not been made available yet as is often the way with start-up airlines. One thing is for sure, as you can see from the photo below; the odd mix of yellow and grey is certainly eye-catching!
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