Thyme’s takeover of flybe. assets needs speedy slot transfer

UK CAA confirms granting OL to new flybe. owner

Italy's Sky Alps secures first Q400s on lease

Sky Alps (Bolzano) has announced it will lease its first two DHC-8-Q400s from Chorus Aviation Capital with deliveries expected in April and May 2021.

"Sky Alps is very pleased to have selected Chorus Aviation Capital as our aircraft supplier for the initial launch of services from our South Tyrol base in Bolzano with two Dash 8-Q400s on long-term operating leases," founder and president of the start-up, Josef Gostner, said.

The lessor revealed the aircraft will be G-ECOK (msn 4230) and G-ECOO (msn 4237), 12.6- and 12.4-year-old turboprops. Both were previously operated by flybe. (BE, Exeter) and were returned following the British carrier's collapse in early March 2020. They are currently stored at North Bay and Halifax, respectively.

"The successful remarketing of these aircraft, which were repossessed by CAC in 2020 and underwent extensive reconfiguration and return-to-service work performed by Voyageur Airways and Jazz Technical Services, is a testament to Chorus' broad ability to find opportunities and execute on comprehensive solutions to remarket our aircraft in...

Thyme Opco completes flybe. aquisition, eyes summer return

Thyme Opco, the Cyrus Capital-controlled shell company that announced last October its intention to acquire flybe. (BE, Exeter), revealed on April 14 that it had completed the purchase of the collapsed carrier’s assets and business and aimed to restart flight operations this summer. Thyme Opco will now be renamed Flybe Limited.

A spokesman for the carrier cautioned that relaunching services during the summer was subject to coronavirus travel restrictions, but ultimately the carrier will seek to revive much of its previous network.

“Subject to further success with vaccinations and the relaxation of travel restrictions, we plan to launch a new and much improved Flybe sometime this summer on many of our former routes where there remains a critical need for a strong, reliable, and customer-focused airline,” the spokesman said. “While our company will initially be smaller than before, we intend to grow, create valuable jobs, and make significant contributions to essential regional connectivity in the UK and EU.”

Ernst & Young (EY) restructuring partner Simon Edel, who was one of four administrators appointed to...

US's Waltzing Mathilda unveils Connect Airlines brand

US charter operator Waltzing Matilda Aviation (New Bedford) has launched a new brand, Connect Airlines (Toronto City Centre), which will start scheduled operations in October 2021 using two leased DHC-8-Q400s to connect major business centres in the US Northeast and Midwest with Toronto City Centre, Canada, the company announced.

The service is still subject to regulatory approvals. WMA confirms it has started the process to add FAA Part 121 scheduled and non-scheduled services to its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC). The carrier is already an FAA licensed Part 135 private jet charter operator that began private (FAA Part 91) operations in June 2008 out of the Boston area.

Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer John Thomas told ch-aviation by email that the company was making good progress with its Part 121 application. "We remain on track in this process that would allow an entry into service in October 2021."

He declined to name the leasing company at this stage but revealed the Q400s were former flybe. (BE, Exeter)...