ETF Airways takes delivery of first jet, gets AOC


Croatian start-up carrier ETF Airways has taken delivery of its first aircraft, a 189-seat Boeing 737-800, and has been issued with a Croatian Air Operator’s Certificate, enabling it to commence operations. The jet, registered 9A-LAB, and nicknamed “Voyager”, was presented at Pula Airport yesterday after being prepared for service in Belgrade for several weeks. A second aircraft, nicknamed “Enterprise”, is expected to arrive early next month after being prepared for service in Ireland. The arrival of the carrier’s first jet in Pula was greeted by Boeing’s Sales Director Matthew Bull as ETF becomes the first Croatian operator of Boeing aircraft in decades.


ETF will initially be an ACMI and charter operator leasing its aircraft and crew to foreign airlines. The carrier’s CEO, Stjepan Bedić, noted, "The market is recovering quickly following the easing of restrictions this spring. Demand for our services outside of Croatia is growing beyond all expectations. We have a great team of people who have managed to respond to every challenge and prepare our company for our first season of operations with two Boeing aircraft. This is the first time in thirty years that Boeing will have a presence on the Southeast European market”. The airline’s management board member, Marko Banković, added, “For smaller airlines it's almost impossible to compete against giants such as Ryanair and Lufthansa. However, there are many niches on the market, in part related to tourism, in which there is more than enough room for companies like ours".


The Deputy Chair of the airline’s Supervisory Board, Velimir Šonje, said, “Beginning operations outside of Croatia does not mean that ETF Airways won't become an important part of Croatia’s tourism industry. It's a big world, but we are first of all a Croatian company. A charter plane is an irreplaceable link and we are sure that the opening of new markets and bridges to high-income travellers will continue in the years ahead”. The airline has already signed its first permanent contract which will see it connect EU destinations with the non-EU markets of Southeastern Europe. The carrier said it will initially operate charters but could eventually base a jet in Croatia.



Comments

  1. Anonymous09:05

    Nice to see a Boeing operator again

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous09:06

    Anyone know who they signed a contract with?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:22

      Wonder if it's an airline or tour operator

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17:44

      I think it is some Kosovo tour operators.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:07

    Love the plane names :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:20

      Star trek inspired

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:07

    Congratulations

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous09:08

    Trade Air 2.0

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:40

      More like Dubrovnik Airline 2.0

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:46

      Not really. Dubrovnik Airline focused on charters from Croatia. From what I gather these guys primary operations will be outside of Croatia.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous09:08

    Love it! Well done

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous09:20

    Why in Pula? Wasn't the base supposed to be in Dubrovnik?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous18:14

      Probably us cheaper to have base in Pula than having it in Dubrovnik. They can still fly out of dbv.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous09:21

    I like the uniform

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous09:21

    Next up Pragusa One :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:32

      .... er, that's only "99% sure"

      Delete
  10. Anonymous09:35

    Bravo Hrvatska!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous10:17

    I prefer the livery like on their other plane. With the gray ale.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:00

      Me too

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:00

      https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSG_GwNOrqo/YIUNM1HwjdI/AAAAAAAA5T0/r67G2PjvtIgd8Hy1Oi_ZyCAmFa0J64SzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/OEISA.jpg

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:43

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

      Delete
  12. Anonymous10:17

    What are the first routes?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:20

      From the text

      "The airline has already signed its first permanent contract which will see it connect EU destinations with the non-EU markets of Southeastern Europe. The carrier said it will initially operate charters but could eventually base a jet in Croatia."

      Delete
    2. First plane will be based in Pristina and fly for "families, which are known to be delaying contractual payments as long as possible, even trying to avoid it. In Croatia, they don't have single contract yet, for any charter chain. The only good thing is they are not paying fixed lease, but on hours flown.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:07

      Though it might be PRN as soon as they said from EU to non EU destinations.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous21:51

      Actually very risky to work with these family tour operators

      Delete
  13. Anonymous10:20

    How much capital is needed to launch an airline like this?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous10:20

    Finally a start up that will get off the ground.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:02

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

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:18

      At least €10 million.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous17:54

      Honestly that's less than I thought.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous10:46

    Hopefully they will be able to find work past the summer.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:54

      After European summer, there is summer in other parts of the world :)

      Delete
  16. Anonymous11:01

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:02

      It's developing much faster than I thought.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous11:02

    OU should have done this. Particularly in winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahahahaha. Why should they do anything when they suck public money for doing nothing?

      Delete
  18. Anonymous11:03

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

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous11:08

    This is the only ex-Yu operator with B737 now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:42

      Nice to see some Boeings in the region finally

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17:50

      EFT is the first 737 NG operator based in the exyu.

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    3. Yes and no. Back in 1985 JAT became the first scheduled 737-300 operator not only in ex-yu but in Europe. Before British, before KLM, before Lufthansa. And 300, compared to 200 was much more NG than 300-600 compared to 700-900

      Delete
  20. ETF is planned to fly Basel-Pristina from 7 june until 26 june

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    Replies
    1. trade air A320 is flying at the moment for Air Mediterranean..but between 7 june and 26 june..ETF is flying for MAR (Air Mediterranean) daily flight Basel-Pristina

      Delete
  21. Anonymous17:15

    Practically another Pristina Airlines ...

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  22. Anonymous17:41

    Wow nice. I hope it works.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous17:42

    Cabin looks good

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous17:51

      Did they refurbish the cabin or are these seats that were used by the previous aircraft operator?

      Delete
  24. Anonymous17:43

    Exciting

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous17:48

    I hope this succeeds

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous17:48

    Shame there are no immediate plans to set up flights from Croatia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are plans, but unfortunatelly no realisation for the time being

      Delete
  27. Anonymous21:52

    What a time to launch a new airline

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21:58

      Anyone who wants to start up an airline at this time must be very bold. Wish them good luck.

      Delete
  28. That used to be JAT/JAT Airways work for decades. Bread and butter....BEG-ZRH-PRN-ZRH-BEG-BSL-PRN-BSL-BEG

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous18:15

    If you look closely at the cabin pick you will see they already printed the safety cards with their logo :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i collect safety cards..can you have cards for me please ?

      Delete
  30. the 738 is planned to come to Pristina this evening from Pula..and for info the 734 SX-MAM is still flying with Felix airways titel ..verry interresting for the spotters

    ReplyDelete

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