Swiss start-up carrier flyBAIR (Bern) will commence operations on July 18, after months of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The virtual carrier announced on June 12 that its maiden flights would be between Bern and Palma de Mallorca, and Sion and Mallorca.

“The flyBAIR summer programme was adapted to the current situation together with all partners. With the adapted flight schedule for the period July-October 2020, the route network of the start-up company counts seven holiday destinations: In addition to Mallorca (from mid-July), Crete (Irakleion), and Rhodes (from mid-August) as well as Jerez, Kos Hippocrates, Menorca Mahón, and Preveza/Lefkas (from September 2020),” the carrier said.

It added that the Berne-Olbia route will not be operated during the summer of 2020. The carrier initially hoped to launch on May 2, between Berne, and Mallorca, but this had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and travel restrictions, especially in Greece, Italy and Spain.

flyBAIR has partnered with regional carrier Helvetic Airways (2L, Zurich), and aims to use one of the airline’s E190s on its routes. Based in Berne, its largest shareholder is Berne airport, with a 15.3% stake.