Fly Atlantic is a new start-up planning to launch flights to six destinations, three in North America and three in Europe, in 2025 from its home hub Belfast International. The airline is being set up by the former CEO of Cypriot carrier Tus Airways Andrew Pyne. Pyne is looking to establish Belfast as a connecting hub for long-haul narrow-body flights between North America and Europe. When news of this new airline broke last November, the airline had planned to launch flights in 2024 but this has already slipped by one year.
Fly Atlantic will fly under its own air operator’s certificate (AOC) and the initial fleet will comprise six long-range narrow bodies, operating a single daily wave of connecting flights, with the aim of reaching 16-17 hours of daily utilization. It will initially target Western European cities with no direct transatlantic air links, such as Hamburg, Lyon and Toulouse. The maximum range for the initial U.S. destinations would likely be Chicago in the Midwest, or Charlotte, North Carolina to the south.
The airline is looking to use either an A321LR or a 737-8. Both aircraft are available in the timeframe required. The A321LRs would be configured in a 16/182 layout, while the smaller MAX would be equipped with 12/150 seats. The final selection will depend on the lease contacts that are available when Fly Atlantic is ready to proceed.
Fly Atlantic’s team comprises former Virgin executive Marcus Manning as deputy CEO/CFO, former WOW Air executive Snorri Eggertsson as chief commercial officer, and Guy Maclean—who was previously with Qantas, Avianova and Cobalt—as chief of operations. Currently, talks are underway with investors and also with other airlines looking at the options for feeder partnerships. The AOC process is yet to begin and is expected to take around 12 months to complete. It is hoped that the airline will reach profitability within two years of launch.
