Croatian start-up carrier ETF Airways is to take delivery of its first aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, in the coming weeks. The jet, leased from AerCap, is seventeen years old and was previously operated by a number of carriers including Malev and S7 Airlines. The aircraft recently received ETF’s livery in Shannon in Ireland and is expected to carry the Croatian registration 9A-ABC. The plane will be used for charter flights under a lease arrangement covering aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI). ETF intends to focus on routes from the Croatian Adriatic coast to Western Europe, with its main base being Dubrovnik.
ETF has also finalised an agreement for the lease of a second B737-800 jet which will join the fleet this summer. There are plans to add a third aircraft next year and for the carrier to have up to seven planes by 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, who are currently undergoing training. It 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 recently, “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 arrangements, 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.
Cover photo courtesy of Malcolm Nason
Did not expect this would get off the ground. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteIt's developing much faster than I thought.
DeleteComparing to the other failed startups, these guys actually have money to make it possible.
DeleteThis will be the final nail in OU's coffin.
ReplyDeleteA charter airline looking to lease its plane to other airlines?
DeleteLocal airline carrying tourists from the coast
DeleteThis type of airline seems to be the only feasible one in this day and age. Hope they succeed.
DeletePerhaps something OU should have done. Set up a charter division with 2-3 planes to serve the coast in the summer.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteBravo Hrvatska!
ReplyDeletePlane looks good
ReplyDeleteI believe this is the only ex-Yu operator with B737!
ReplyDeleteI think so too.
DeleteDoes that mean that there is no local qualified crew so that pilots will be expats?
DeleteLocal pilots are actually doing training for the B737 at the moment and there are of course others with valid permits. OU used to fly 737s once upon a time.
DeleteWow nice. I hope it works.
ReplyDeleteIs it just me or is the plane missing engines in the second pic?
ReplyDeleteYes, they haven't put them in yet.
DeleteNice to see some Boeings in the region finally
ReplyDeleteI think that ETF will become the first 737 NG operator based in the exyu.
DeleteAlways a pleasure to see a new idea actually get off the ground. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAny pics of the interior?
ReplyDeleteThe good old HA-LOH.
ReplyDeleteIt operated the last passenger flight of Malev back in 2012 before the bankruptcy.
DeleteLivery doesn't look bad at all actually.
ReplyDeleteLivery is fine but I don't like the name.
DeleteYes, livery is modern and stylish.
DeleteThe livery is very nice.
DeleteThe name really needs to be improved.
DeleteWhy not just call it Easy to fly?
DeleteHope it can work
ReplyDeleteExciting
ReplyDeleteThe good news just keeps on coming for Dubrovnik. This will also help with their recovery.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteWhat routes will they fly?
ReplyDeleteIt says in the article
Delete"ETF intends to focus on routes from the Croatian Adriatic coast to Western Europe, with its main base being Dubrovnik."
It's going to be a charter airline. They will fly where they are paid to fly.
DeleteWell done on securing two plants already.
ReplyDeleteI meant *planes* obviously haha
DeleteSecond one will also be former S7 jet.
DeleteThey can certainly get some cheap lease deals now
DeleteBad news for OU.
ReplyDeleteThe question is why has Croatia Airlines never started operating charter flights on a wider scale from the coast?
DeleteThey would require more aircraft. And then the age old question: what do you do with those extra aircraft in the winter?
DeleteBecause they were unable to compete.
DeleteThey should work more with foreign tour operators. Although it makes sense that foreigners will work with their local airlines and not OU.
DeleteI think this type of airline, that will focus on ACMI in winter and charters in summer has the greatest chance of success.
ReplyDeleteMight be challenging finding winter ACMI contracts for the next couple of years...
DeleteI already imagine: hey bro, i am going to vacation, airline is wtf. Wtf is wtf?) 😁
ReplyDeletehaha :D
DeleteThey have launched their website
ReplyDeletehttps://www.etfairways.com/
Good luck
ReplyDeleteGood! Croatia needs an airline with aircraft based on the coast.
ReplyDeletePreferably a scheduled one.
DeleteNo, not a scheduled one because it would struggle big time in winter.
DeleteThere is demand for the coast but only on a seasonal basis.
DeleteI hope this succeeds and support any kind of enthusiastic idea, especially in aviation industry.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck and Godspeed
ReplyDelete