Croatian start-up ETF to take first jet
Croatian start-up carrier ETF Airways (Easy To Fly), is expected to take delivery of its first aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 next month. The jet will be leased from AerCap. The carrier is expected to commence operations in April, if necessary permits are received by then. The aircraft will be used for charter flights under lease arrangement covering aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI). ETF intends to focus on routes from the Croatian Adriatic coast such as Dubrovnik, Pula, Split and Zadar to airports in France, Germany and the UK. The Croatian coast is one of the most competitive markets in the region during the summer months, with numerous airlines maintaining seasonal and charter flights from Europe and the Middle East.
ETF’s fleet is expected to comprise of two B737s over the coming summer, with plans for it to grow to three jets early next year and up to seven aircraft in 2025. As the airline will be registered in Croatia, it will have the ability to fly across all markets within the European Union. The company recently completed hiring future cabin crew members and is now looking for new partners, companies and brokers for ACMI and charter business opportunities worldwide. Private investors and Croatia-based investment funds are said to be supporting the initiative and the airline is said to have stable and secured financing.
Commenting on its operations, economic analyst Velimir Šonje, who is one of the airline’s investors and members of the Supervisory Board, said, “ETF does not aim to become a big scheduled carrier. Our main goal is to utilise the opportunities which we expect in the coming years through charters and similar arrangement, primarily on the EU market, through flexible and reliable service”. Mr Šonje added that the post-Covid world will open a number of opportunities in particular markets niches. Croatia has had numerous charter and scheduled airlines in the past, each with varying degrees of success. Among them are Dubrovnik Airline, Anic Airways, Air Adriatic, Air Croatia, Sea Air, Limitless Airways, AWEX Croatia, Libertas Air and European Coastal Airlines, while others such as Dalmatian and Smile Air never took off.
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