Star Airways

Star Airways was an Albanian airline based in Tirana. Established in 2008 by a group of Albanian and Italian investors, it was created during a period when Albania's commercial aviation market was developing and new carriers were seeking to connect Tirana with European destinations. The airline obtained its operating license in June 2009, but its intended fleet and operating plan were not fully in place when commercial service began. The carrier arranged two Airbus A320 aircraft through the leasing company International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The first aircraft, an Airbus A320-231 registered ZA-RED, arrived on 3 April 2010 after previously serving with Mexico's Mexicana de Aviación. A second A320, formerly operated by Nouvelair, arrived in May 2010. Although these aircraft represented the airline's planned operating fleet, neither was used in Star Airways' commercial service according to the available account. Star Airways instead commenced operations on 7 June 2010 using two McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft supplied by ItAli Airlines. The arrangement allowed the Albanian carrier to begin flying while it lacked approval to operate its own aircraft. Initial scheduled services linked Tirana with several Italian cities, reflecting the importance of Italy as an air-travel market for Albania. The airline also discussed or planned routes to Istanbul, Antalya, Thessaloniki, and Düsseldorf, but the available record does not establish that these proposed destinations were served on a sustained basis. The airline's operating life was extremely brief. In the summer of 2010, Albania's aviation authority withdrew its operating license. All flight operations ceased completely in September 2010. Star Airways therefore remained a small and short-lived entrant rather than developing into a durable network airline. Its documented fleet history consists of two Airbus A320 aircraft that were received but never operated by the carrier, and two MD-82 aircraft operated through ItAli Airlines. No later operating activity, reactivation, parent company, public listing, or successor brand is identified in the available reference material.

Star Airways was founded in 2008 by several Albanian and Italian investors and was headquartered in Tirana. The venture sought to establish a scheduled Albanian airline serving regional international destinations. It obtained an operating license from the Albanian authorities in June 2009. The airline's planned fleet consisted of Airbus A320 aircraft. Its first A320, an A320-231 registered ZA-RED, arrived on 3 April 2010. The aircraft had previously been operated by Mexicana de Aviación. A second A320, formerly operated by Nouvelair, arrived in May 2010. Both aircraft were obtained through the leasing company ILFC. Despite their delivery, the two A320s did not operate Star Airways services in the documented period. Star Airways began commercial operations on 7 June 2010. Because the airline had not received approval to operate with its own aircraft, it used two McDonnell Douglas MD-82 jetliners supplied by ItAli Airlines. Its initial scheduled network connected Tirana with several Italian cities. The emphasis on Italy reflected the practical importance of cross-Adriatic travel and the country's close geographic and economic links with Albania. The airline also indicated plans to expand to Istanbul, Antalya, Thessaloniki, and Düsseldorf, although the available historical record does not confirm that these routes became established scheduled services. The carrier's operations lasted only a few months. During the summer of 2010, the Albanian aviation authority withdrew its operating license. Star Airways ceased all flights completely in September 2010 and did not develop into a continuing airline. Its recorded operating fleet comprised two MD-82 aircraft supplied by ItAli Airlines, while its two delivered A320s were never operated by the carrier. The available sources do not identify named executives, a later owner, a parent group, a relaunch, or a successor brand.

• 2010

  First Airbus A320 delivered

  [1]Star Airwaysen.wikipedia.org

  The airline receives its first A320 on 3 April through an ILFC leasing arrangement.

• 2010

  Second Airbus A320 delivered

  [1]Star Airwaysen.wikipedia.org

  A second A320 arrives in May, but neither A320 is recorded as entering Star Airways service.

• 2010

  Commercial operations begin

  [1]Star Airwaysen.wikipedia.org

  Scheduled flights start on 7 June using two MD-82 aircraft supplied by ItAli Airlines.

• 2010

  Operations end

  [1]Star Airwaysen.wikipedia.org

  The operating license is withdrawn during the summer and all flights cease in September.

• 2009

  Operating license obtained

  [1]Star Airwaysen.wikipedia.org

  Star Airways receives its operating license in June.

• 2008

  Star Airways is founded

  [1]Star Airwaysen.wikipedia.org

  Several Albanian and Italian investors establish the airline in Albania.

A prospective Albanian scheduled airline focused initially on regional international passenger routes, particularly connections between Tirana and Italian cities.

• Passenger air transport · 2010

  Scheduled passenger flights

  Star Airways' principal offering was scheduled international passenger transportation from Tirana. The initial network served several Italian cities using aircraft supplied by ItAli Airlines. The carrier announced or considered additional regional destinations, including Istanbul, Antalya, Thessaloniki, and Düsseldorf, but its operating license was withdrawn before the airline could establish a broad network.

• Aircraft fleet · 2010

  Airbus A320 fleet

  Star Airways received two leased Airbus A320 aircraft in 2010 as part of its planned fleet. One had previously been operated by Mexicana de Aviación and the other by Nouvelair. The available account states that these aircraft never operated Star Airways commercial flights.

• Aircraft fleet · 2010

  McDonnell Douglas MD-82 operations

  The airline began service with two McDonnell Douglas MD-82 jetliners supplied by ItAli Airlines. This temporary or externally supplied operating arrangement enabled Star Airways to launch flights while it lacked approval to operate its own aircraft.

• 2010

  Launch flights with aircraft supplied by ItAli AirlinesStrategy

  Background

  Star Airways had received two Airbus A320s but had not obtained approval to operate commercial services with its own aircraft.

  Action taken

  The airline commenced scheduled service using two McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft supplied by ItAli Airlines.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement supported a short-lived launch from Tirana to Italian cities, but the airline's operating license was withdrawn later in 2010 and all flights ended in September.

  Source

1. 1Star Airwaysen.wikipedia.org