PLAY Airlines Launches New Maltese Subsidiary with AOC
PLAY Airlines Launches New Subsidiary: PLAY Europe Receives Air Operator’s Certificate
PLAY Airlines, the Icelandic low-cost carrier, has officially announced the launch of its Malta-based subsidiary, PLAY Europe, following the successful acquisition of an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the Maltese Civil Aviation Directorate. This significant milestone was celebrated on March 28, 2025, at a special event held at the airline’s new headquarters in Malta.
This strategic decision comes in the wake of PLAY Airlines’ announcement in November 2024 regarding its plans to establish a sister airline in Malta, aimed at restructuring its operating model and route network. The airline had previously predicted a dip in earnings for 2024, prompting the need for vital changes to ensure long-term sustainability.
PLAY Europe: A New Era for the Airline
The primary focus of PLAY Europe is to undertake projects across Europe for other airlines, marking its entry into the wet-lease market. Wet-lease arrangements, also known as ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance) agreements, will allow PLAY Europe to operate its aircraft on behalf of other airlines. This approach not only enhances operational flexibility but also enables the leased aircraft to showcase the branding of the customer airline, depending on the lease terms.
Fleet and Operations
Currently, PLAY Airlines operates a fleet of ten aircraft, including six Airbus A320neos and four A321neos. Initially, three of these aircraft will be transferred to PLAY Europe, which has already secured contracts to operate for a “major airline operator in Eastern Europe.” While the identity of this client remains confidential, these aircraft will operate exclusively outside of Iceland and will not be branded under PLAY’s scheduled services.
- Key Points about PLAY Europe:
- Established to support projects for other airlines.
- First aircraft registered under the Maltese AOC is an Airbus A321neo.
- Pilots and senior cabin crew will be hired locally based on operational needs.
Einar Örn Ólafsson, CEO of PLAY, expressed his excitement about this development, stating, “These leasing projects will generate profitability for PLAY in line with previous projections, providing a more predictable and stable operational framework.” He emphasized the hard work put in by the team to achieve this goal ahead of schedule.
Support from Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate
Charles Pace, Director General of the Civil Aviation Directorate of Malta, welcomed PLAY Europe into Malta’s aviation landscape, commending the smooth process leading to the AOC award. He expressed optimism about the airline’s growth and contributions to the local economy.
Future Prospects for PLAY Airlines
Meanwhile, PLAY Airlines will continue its operations as a low-cost carrier based in Iceland, primarily focusing on point-to-point leisure routes between Iceland and Southern Europe. Despite recent service adjustments, including the discontinuation of flights to Toronto and Washington DC, the airline maintains its connections to major U.S. cities like New York, Boston, and Baltimore.
The shift in strategy comes as PLAY Airlines reevaluates its role in the transatlantic market, choosing to concentrate on expanding its European routes, where demand has shown significant growth throughout 2024.
For more updates on PLAY Airlines and its new subsidiary, PLAY Europe, stay tuned to our news section. We invite you to share your thoughts on this exciting development in the comments below or explore related articles for more insights into the aviation industry.
