Croatia’s ETF Airways to take delivery of first jet


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



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:04

    Did not expect this would get off the ground. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:31

      It's developing much faster than I thought.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:59

      Comparing to the other failed startups, these guys actually have money to make it possible.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous09:05

    This will be the final nail in OU's coffin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:06

      A charter airline looking to lease its plane to other airlines?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:10

      Local airline carrying tourists from the coast

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:00

      This type of airline seems to be the only feasible one in this day and age. Hope they succeed.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:12

    Perhaps something OU should have done. Set up a charter division with 2-3 planes to serve the coast in the summer.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous09:12

    Bravo Hrvatska!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous09:13

    Plane looks good

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous09:14

    I believe this is the only ex-Yu operator with B737!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:22

      I think so too.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous09:31

      Does that mean that there is no local qualified crew so that pilots will be expats?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:00

      Local 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.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:21

    Wow nice. I hope it works.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous09:22

    Is it just me or is the plane missing engines in the second pic?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:28

      Yes, they haven't put them in yet.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous09:24

    Nice to see some Boeings in the region finally

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:02

      I think that ETF will become the first 737 NG operator based in the exyu.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous10:17

    Always a pleasure to see a new idea actually get off the ground. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous10:17

    Any pics of the interior?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous10:27

    The good old HA-LOH.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:31

      It operated the last passenger flight of Malev back in 2012 before the bankruptcy.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous10:59

    Livery doesn't look bad at all actually.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:02

      Livery is fine but I don't like the name.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:06

      Yes, livery is modern and stylish.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:13

      The livery is very nice.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous16:11

      The name really needs to be improved.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous16:17

      Why not just call it Easy to fly?

      Delete
  14. Anonymous11:06

    Hope it can work

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous11:37

    Exciting

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous11:38

    The good news just keeps on coming for Dubrovnik. This will also help with their recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous13:44

    What routes will they fly?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:09

      It says in the article

      "ETF intends to focus on routes from the Croatian Adriatic coast to Western Europe, with its main base being Dubrovnik."

      Delete
    2. Anonymous01:27

      It's going to be a charter airline. They will fly where they are paid to fly.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous16:17

    Well done on securing two plants already.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous16:18

      I meant *planes* obviously haha

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17:59

      Second one will also be former S7 jet.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous01:33

      They can certainly get some cheap lease deals now

      Delete
  19. Anonymous17:59

    Bad news for OU.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:07

      The question is why has Croatia Airlines never started operating charter flights on a wider scale from the coast?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18:28

      They would require more aircraft. And then the age old question: what do you do with those extra aircraft in the winter?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous18:32

      Because they were unable to compete.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous18:39

      They should work more with foreign tour operators. Although it makes sense that foreigners will work with their local airlines and not OU.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous17:59

    I think this type of airline, that will focus on ACMI in winter and charters in summer has the greatest chance of success.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:27

      Might be challenging finding winter ACMI contracts for the next couple of years...

      Delete
  21. I already imagine: hey bro, i am going to vacation, airline is wtf. Wtf is wtf?) 😁

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous01:15

    They have launched their website
    https://www.etfairways.com/

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous01:18

    Good luck

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous01:18

    Good! Croatia needs an airline with aircraft based on the coast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous01:26

      Preferably a scheduled one.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous01:29

      No, not a scheduled one because it would struggle big time in winter.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous01:34

      There is demand for the coast but only on a seasonal basis.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous01:34

    I hope this succeeds and support any kind of enthusiastic idea, especially in aviation industry.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous06:55

    Good Luck and Godspeed

    ReplyDelete

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