French start-up eyes Zagreb and Ljubljana flights


Happy Airways, a planned new French carrier based in Strasbourg, plans to commence operations to fourteen European destinations among which are Zagreb and Ljubljana. The airline plans to initially maintain flights with two ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft. Its remaining destinations will include points in France, Italy, Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom. Happy Airways is still in the early stages of its set-up and is now courting investors in order to secure finances to commence operations. “This hybrid airline will be based at Strasbourg-Entzheim International Airport. Happy Airways is seeking to change the air transport industry in the region by offering a high-quality service experience at the best possible fares”, the start-up said.

Neither Zagreb nor Ljubljana are linked to Strasbourg, although both airports have shown potential for additional destinations in France other than Paris. The Croatian capital currently boasts services to Charles de Gaulle and Beauvais, while Ljubljana is linked to Charles de Gaulle and Orly. Indirect traffic between Zagreb and points in France show potential for at least seasonal operations to a secondary French city. According to OAG data, Nice was the most popular destination after Paris. It was followed by Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse. A number of other French cities also saw indirect traffic from the Croatian capital, with Nantes, Bordeaux, Montpellier and Strasbourg among them.


Similar to Zagreb, Ljubljana Airport’s most popular destination in France after Paris, with the most indirect traffic, is Nice. It is followed closely by Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse. Data indicates that traffic volumes between Ljubljana and Strasbourg are negligible. Happy Airways argues that Strasbourg’s network is “undeveloped” in comparison with demand. The start-up’s “optimised” network, it claims, would turn Strasbourg into a “major hub in the heart of the European Union”. It added, “By operating as a hybrid airline, with a great quality of service, an important network and with great air fares, Happy Airways would be a new game-changer in the air industry in the region”.



Comments

  1. Anonymous07:21

    Good luck with that

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:27

      I bet you wouldn't have made that comment had they started BEG.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:04

      Well BEG is thriving right now so it would make sense for them to have the most success there especially since LUX and FKB (closest airports to Strasbourg) are performing really well. Luxair even loaded winter flights to BEG.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:06

      It's ok my friend, that is why we educate him with facts to reduce the extent of his stupidity. :)

      Delete
    4. Anonymous13:11

      I wrote good luck with that not because I don't think these routes wouldn't work but because I doubt this airline will find the funds to launch flights. Has nothing to do with BEG or anything else you imagined

      Delete
  2. Anonymous07:21

    Surprising there are no flights to any French secondary city from either ZAG or LJU. Hopefully this will change.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous07:28

      Especially in Zagreb's case since it is operated by a French company.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous07:33

      More Turkish than French

      Delete
    3. Anonymous14:27

      That really means little. It is demand that dictates flights, not airport operator.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous07:24

    This airline will never get off the ground.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous07:27

    Missed opportunity for Croatia Airlines.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous08:14

    We need flights to Lyon and Nice before Strasbourg.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:40

      Does AF fly nonstop international flights from any other city in France?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:04

      Yes, mostly seasonally.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous08:57

    How long would take flight on atr to ZAG? Is it longer than BEG-PRG?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21:08

      On a turboprop, around 1h 45minutes.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous09:03

    If they manage to find the funds I'm sure it will work. But crowdfunding is never reliable

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous09:24

    Bravo Hrvatska!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For what? For a remote possibility of ATR flights to Strassbourg by French company to carry corrupt politicians to another alike of Brussels? I think it's time for your mAdikejsn. Or sandwich, at least. Hope with extra mayo today

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19:59

      Dosadan si.

      Delete
    3. Interesantni kriteriji, da sam ja dosadan a Bravo Hrvatska nije. Time for mAdikejsn, obviously.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous00:46

      POZDRAV once again sandwiches are for you !!! We eat only prossuto and caviar !!!

      Delete
    5. This comment of yours just shows you missed your mAdication again

      Delete
    6. Btw, it's prosciutto, not prossuto. That much about your gastronomy knowledge. Enjoy your podrigusa!

      Delete
    7. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous10:08

    Horrible name and boring logo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:13

      It seems like these start ups are running out of creative names.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous15:05

      Definitely.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous10:24

    So when do they plan to launch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous13:13

      When they get the money.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21:07

      Considering they are going after crowdfunding, it probably won't be any time soon.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous10:34

    So many "eyes" "mulling" "considering" "talking to" for LJU. And 90% of that doesn't happen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:46

      That is why it was a mistake letting JP go, even privatizing it in the first place. Adria Airways was Slovenia's only chance at being remotely relevant in European aviation. Now that they are gone LJU has sunk lower than anyone imagined it.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:06

      Yesterday I found the return ticket Ljubljana -Seville (over Frankfurt) for 160€. In times of Adria this was never possible, it would be around 350€.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:07

      Even during Adria's days few Slovenians actually used it, because of the high costs, same with Lufthansa, in July a roundtrip ticket to Frankfurt cost more than 200€, while Ryanair Zagreb-Oslo cost like 50€...if Ryanair really does come to LJU, it will definitely increase LJU's passenger numbers at least 3x...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:17

      This ticket for Seville is 12.2. - 18.2. 2023, in case someone is interested.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:25

      I used to live in Seville and i would never recommend anyone to visit it in February. Seville should be visited and enjoyed between march and june and between late septembre and decembre. Summer is extremely hot and winter can be dull and in case of rain, even cold as ridiculous as it sounds its true. Spend extra 100€ on flights and see the city at its best.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous10:45

      Anonymous 11:25 - there should be more comments like this, I am sure that a lot of us here travel a lot and these tips can be very useful.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous12:17

    I don't know what the frequencies will be (if any) guess some officials will use the route, but it is close for about an hour or something more to Karslruhe, Baden Baden, Freiburg AB, Stuttgart/Metz both are a but further etc., but let's not forget that most of those areas have a fair fast rail connection too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous13:14

    Is there any diaspora in this area?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous13:57

    But will cartel allow them to fly to LJU?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:58

      They allowed Transavia to launch Orly this year.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:30

      They can't do anything in Paris. AF/Transavia is too strong there. But Strasbourg is in other region. Close to Luxembourg. They didn't allow Luxair to launch LJU.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous21:07

      Where on earth did you get that LJU didn't let Luxair start flights. I mean the airport doesen't decide if an airline can fly or not.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous22:47

      Airport doesn't decide if an airline can fly or not? You sure? Lol

      Delete
  15. Anonymous14:10

    Those are some very long sectors on an ATR. SXB-LON is uncomfortably far too.

    By the way, I wonder which London airport they expect to get slots at. DUS is very slot constrained too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous14:29

    Is this a school project or are the people involved adults? It strikes me as more than a bit naïve and reminds me of Varsity Express, a British teenager's short-lived airline.

    The fact that they plan to include onboard meals and equip the ATRs with IFE (and a record-dense seat configuration) is...eyebrow-raising to put it mildly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:05

      Sounds like another Pragusa.One :D

      Delete
  17. Anonymous15:58

    Also share my doubts that this project will succeed. But I hope Transavia considers some route from France to LJU.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous15:58

      Zagreb too

      Delete
    2. Anonymous16:12

      Nice would be a great seasonal route.

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    3. Anonymous16:15

      How is Transavia performing on Ljubljana Paris Orly route?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous16:17

      Anon 15:58, Transavia flies twice per week to LJU from ORY

      Delete
    5. Anonymous16:24

      No tickets on sale from end of October.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous16:39

      Ouch

      Delete
    7. Anonymous16:41

      LJU keeps on winning!

      Delete
  18. Anonymous18:25

    is der demand from SXB to SKP to fill ATR?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21:22

      There would be demand but there is really no need for this route because SKP already has a 2 weekly service to Karlushe/Baden which is 40 minutes driving from Straatsbourg and SKP also has 11 weekly flights to Basel-Mullhouse which is an hour driving from Straatsbourg. So adding another destanation in this area from an unknown carier which can't provide any transfers doesn't make sense to me.

      Delete
    2. Strassbourg is the second EU "capital", after Brussels. This probably will take off, and will probably be full service carrier, because corrupt EU politicians must have all the best and most convenient. That's why ZAG and LJU are there, and BEG, SJJ or SKP are not. It has nothing to do with demand.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous23:39

      It will take off like Pragusa to Johannesburg and Gullivair to New York.

      Delete
    4. Well, starting ATR operations is a little but easier and less expensive than starting A350 or A330 ops, and France happens to be a little but wealthier and more regulated than HR or BG, so no, these are not comparable, but I understand some people must spit at everything I say no matter what it is and to which matter related

      Delete
    5. France little bit wealthier, not little but, autocorrect

      Delete
  19. Anonymous07:11

    No one serious operates ATRs on pax ops around Alps, but yeah ... nice livery the rest is history.

    ReplyDelete

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