Libertas Air (Dubrovnik) is a new Croat start-up carrier aiming to launch domestic flights from April next year using a pair of leased A320-200s. The airline's founder, Zoran Prpić, is a former pilot and owner of tour operator, Carpe Diem. EX-YU Aviation News says the airline will require EUR3million (USD3.9million) in initial start-up capital. Configured in an all-economy lay out, the A320s will be used to take up underserved/suspended Croatia Airlines (OU, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman) routes, with particular reference to Dubrovnik where Croatia Airlines has cut several routes. Presently, Croatia Airlines operates a near monopoly on domestic Croatian flights, which are reportedly "heavily subsidized." However, that has now changed after the Ministry of Maritime Affairs awarded charter carrier Trade Air (C3, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman) traffic rights for Zagreb Franjo Tuđman to Osijek and Rijeka - Split - Dubrovnik - Rijeka.