Start-up Firnas Airways is busy working on its regulatory check-list and securing the necessary finance to formally launch what will be the UK’s newest independent regional airline. It is targeting a third quarter start, initially serving short haul charter services with 19-seat BAE Jetstream 31 aircraft. One aircraft is already painted in its colour scheme and was presented to interested potential investors late last month.
“Our investment programme is on schedule and going extremely well,” says entrepreneur and founder CEO Kazi Rahman, who has garnered an impressive team of airline professionals to help him realize his plans, advise and fine-tune its business strategy.
Firnas Airways plans to enter the market and fill a niche, important segment in the sub 50-seat aircraft category, complementing a market dominated by low cost carriers and full service, legacy airlines.
Firnas, named after the legendary eighth-century Spanish inventor and scientist Abbas ibn Firnas, lesser known pioneer of the flying machine, has identified unserved and under-served smaller airports with strong catchments, in phase one of its business.
It will serve the sort of airports where passengers enjoy short check in times, quick turnarounds and customer friendly service, all on one level. Airports like London Oxford, London Southend, Waterford and Isle of Man Ronaldsway are on the wish list.
