License suspended
Ernest Airlines ordered to halt operations
The Italian aviation authority Enac suspends the licence of the low-cost airline. But Ernest Airlines still has a chance to return. More
Airbus A320 in Ernest Airlines livery
Airbus A320 in Ernest Airlines livery
A little while ago Ernest Airlines was still expanding strongly. After the start of operations in April 2017, the Italian low-cost airline was offering flights between the Italian airports of Bergamo, Bologna, Genoa, Naples, Milan-Malpensa, Pisa, Venice, Verona and Rome-Fiumicino and Albania. Recently it announced new flights to France, Russia, Spain and Ukraine.
Ernest Airlines, which previously operated unter the brand name Fly Ernest, wanted to double its fleet next year and at the same time modernize it. Instead of one Airbus A319 and three A320s, as of now the fleet should have consistes of eight Airbus A320 Neo. But this may not come true anymore.
Ticket sales stopped
The Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazione Civile Enac suspends the licence of Ernest Airlines as of January, 13. The Italian aviation authority explained that the date had been chosen so that holiday traffic could still be handled, especially in connection with the Ukrainian New Year on January 7. However, the low-cost airline has already had to stop selling tickets.
The Enac explains that this is not yet a definitive withdrawal of licenses. «If the airline provides the guarantee elements required by EU regulations and if these elements are assessed positively by the agency, the suspension can be lifted», the Enac said.