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There are over 5,000 airlines globally based on ICAO/IATA airline codes. It seems like a new batch pop up every year. Some gain traction and carve out a marketshare from the existing carriers in a region. Others fail within a short time or get acquired by a larger airline and absorbed into its operation. Globally, there have been several new airlines launched in 2023. Here are seven that should be on your radar this year and one to remember when it launches in 2030.
Air Moana
Air Moana launched in early 2023. It offers flights across French Polynesia and challenges Air Tahiti’s regional monopoly. The airline flies to Bora Bora Airport (BOB), Aéroport de Raiatea (RFP), Rangiroa Airport (RFP), Moorea Airport (MOZ), Nuku Hiva Airport (NHV), and Hiva Oa Airport (AUQ). Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport (PPT) is its base of operations.
(Image Credit: Air Moana via Instagram.)
Bonza
Bonza started its operations in January 2023. It flies domestically across Australia. This Australian low-cost carrier is headquartered on the Sunshine Coast. Bonza commenced operations with 27 routes serving 17 destinations. 93% of Bonza routes are not currently served by any other airline.
(Image Credit: Bonza via Instagram.)
Ghana Airlines
State-owned Ghana Airlines looks to replace the failed Ghana Airways and Ghana International Airlines. The carrier is set to launch in Q3 2023. It will fly domestically initially with plans to later serve international destinations like London and New York.
(Image Credit: Boeing.)
Liliair
Liliair is a new private, Austrian airline that serves the Alps-Adriatic region. The carrier connects Austria with Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA), Hamburg Airport (HAM), and Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN). Liliair flies the Embraer 175 in a 2-2 configuration with 88 seats per plane.
Lufthansa City Airlines
The Lufthansa Group is adding yet another airline to its portfolio. City Airlines will fly from Munich International Airport (MUC) to cities across Europe. The new carrier will offer short to medium-haul flights later this year.
(Image Credit: City Airlines.)
Marabu
Marabu is a new German airline that flies from Hamburg Airport (HAM) and Munich International Airport (MUC) to the beach destinations around the Mediterranean, Egypt, the Canary Islands, Portugal, and Spain. This is German-based carrier Condor’s sister airline that started operating in April 2023. The airline has a fleet of Airbus A320s and its infrastructure is backed by Condor.
(Image Credit: Condor.)
Norse Atlantic Airways
Norse Atlantic Airways launched its first flight from Oslo Airport (OSL) to New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in June 2022. The Norwegian low-cost carrier focuses on long-haul trips between Europe and the US (as well as a few Caribbean destinations and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
(Image Credit: Norse Atlantic Airways.)
Riyadh Air
Saudi Arabia has a new airline launching in 2030 called Riyadh Air. The airline’s operations will be based at King Khalid International Airport (RUH). The carrier sees Riyadh becoming a gateway to the world and not a tourist destination like neighboring Dubai and Abu Dhabi. When it launches it will operate domestic and international flights to over 100 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and North America.
(Image Credit: Riyadh Air.)
Anthony’s Take: I’m always on the lookout for quirky and new airlines that are either adding competition or serving previously disconnected markets. We’ll see where my travels take me and if these airlines come into my plans.
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