Play Europe receives Maltese AOC and begins operations outside Iceland
The subsidiary will manage leased aircraft for third-party European operators
Play Europe, a subsidiary of Icelandic airline Fly Play hf., received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Malta Civil Aviation Directorate on Thursday, during an official ceremony held in the country's capital.
The new certification allows the company to formally launch operations from Malta, as part of a restructuring announced by Fly Play hf. in October 2024. This restructuring included the creation of Play Europe to manage European projects for other airlines, operating from outside Iceland.
According to the parent company, Fly Play hf. currently operates a fleet of ten aircraft and has already signed an agreement with an Eastern European operator for the leasing of three aircraft under the new Maltese AOC. These aircraft will operate exclusively outside the Icelandic market, without using the PLAY brand or flying to or from Iceland.
The first aircraft registered under the Maltese AOC is an Airbus A321-NEO, manufactured in 2018, with registration 9H-PEA. Crew members, including pilots and senior cabin crew, will be hired directly by Play Europe and will be based in the lessee’s home country.
“This is an important step for us. These leasing projects will generate profitability for PLAY in line with our projections and will make operations more stable and predictable, with a positive financial outlook,” said Einar Örn Ólafsson, CEO of PLAY. “Receiving the Maltese AOC ahead of schedule is the result of our team’s tireless work over the past months, and we are very proud of this achievement,” he added.
During the ceremony, Charles Pace, Director General of the Malta Civil Aviation Directorate, welcomed Play Europe to the Maltese aviation sector. He thanked the teams involved and emphasized that the certification process “went smoothly thanks to the dedication of the Directorate’s inspectors and the PLAY team.”
Fly Play hf. will continue operating as an Icelandic low-cost airline, with most of its fleet based in Keflavík, while Play Europe will focus on leasing-based operations outside Iceland.
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