Croatian start-up targets 2020 launch
Croatian start-up Smile Air anticipates launching operations in 2020 with two Embraer E190 jets for year-round operations, which would be followed by the lease of an Airbus A321 for seasonal purposes. Eventually, the carrier plans to acquire a wide-body A330 for long haul services. The company is being established by a three-member team comprised of aviation professionals. One of the carrier's co-founders and its Accountable Manager, Nino Borić, said, "We would like to start operations at the end of this year, but it will be difficult to do so, as we need to secure the right aircraft for the market. Prices are currently too high. We are in no real hurry but we want to make this a sustainable and long-term project void of any mistakes. In addition, obtaining flight permits also takes some time, so we hope to launch in 2020".
The Zagreb-based start-up said it is in the process of obtaining an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), enabling it to launch commercial operations. "The airline will initially operate in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, while worldwide operations are also planed", the company said. Smile Air, which was registered in 2017, plans to initially lease two E190 aircraft. "The E-jet family of aircraft is the most popular line of regional jets. E190 is especially appealing due to its range, capacity, airport performance and CASM (Available Seat Miles)", Mr Borić noted. Later on, Smile Air will lease an A321 on a seasonal summer basis, he added.
The team behind Smile Air comprises of Mr Borić, who also owns US aircraft leasing company AvioNova and is a member of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT), captain Bernard Lukač, a former Croatia Airlines A320 pilot, and Krunoslav Djumlija, a former Flight Operations Inspector at the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency. Over the past years, Croatia has been flooded by a string of start-up airlines, all of which have so far proved unsuccessful. They include Air Croatia, Sea Air, Dalmatian, Libertas Air, AWEX and Splitair.
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